Testimony on RI abortion bills stretches late into night

January 30, 2019 12:07 am

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The debate over abortion turned into an all-night affair on Smith Hill. The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several pro-life and pro-choice bills. This year, the spotlight is on two bills to protect the rights set out in the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision–including the Reproductive Healthcare Act sponsored by Democratic Rep. Edith Ajello of Providence.

“We have a president now who has made it one of his biggest promises, almost as big as the wall, that we will repeal the rights codified in Roe v Wade under him,” said Ajello.

Pro-choice ralliers packing the rotunda say now is the time to ensure access to safe and legal abortion is at least preserved on the state level.

“Passing the Reproductive Healthcare Act is a way to ensure that we have those protections going forward, regardless of what’s happening federally,” said Jackie Goldman of Providence.

But just as many pro-life activists made their voices heard as well.

“This law is not just confirming Roe v. Wade, it’s drastically expanding,” said Erin Huynh of Portsmouth.

They want to see anti-abortion bills passed, including one defining a human life with the existence of a heartbeat.

“I’m not trying to take away women’s rights or a women’s right to live, it’s not that at all, it’s just that a baby is also a life,” said Brittany Curran of Providence.

But Ajello says this fight is also about protecting women’s rights.

“Women’s freedom. Women’s privacy in determining what happens in their bodies. How they plan their families. How they deal with their lives,” said Ajello.

No votes were taken on any of these bills Tuesday night. As for the pro-choice bills, even if they do make it out of committee, it’s not clear whether pro-life Speaker Nick Mattiello will allow a full house vote on them, even though a majority of the reps support it.

Through a spokesman, Speaker Mattiello said, “I await the recommendation of the members of the House Judiciary Committee, who will be taking public testimony tonight.”