Pennsylvania’s Republican legislature has introduced a “heartbeat” abortion bill that would regulate abortions according to a fetal heartbeat; the commonwealth was the 19th state to introduce such legislation. Gov. Tom Wolf has confirmed he would veto any such bill.
Correction: Pennsylvania will NOT be the next state to ban abortion because I will veto this bill. #StopTheBan https://t.co/xhXcGUSHV2
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) October 22, 2019
?? Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban abortions after 6 weeks — before many people even know they are pregnant. ?? Read the full story: https://t.co/BoqZSW3acF written by @iveydejesus #WeWon’tComeBack #BansOffMyBody photo:twitter.com/HJOcXwMAjA
— Planned Parenthood PA Advocates (@PPAdvocatesPA) October 22, 2019
The proposed bills, like those in other states, would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Opposition arguments say the legislation burdens women because a heartbeat can be detected early, even before a woman knows she is pregnant. The proposed heartbeat bill would allow a woman to have an abortion if her health is in danger. Pennsylvania law currently allows women to have abortions before 24 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for later pregnancy if the mother’s life is in danger.
Similar to legislation passed in Ohio, Georgia and Alabama, the bill would require abortion providers to detect a heartbeat before performing the procedure. If a heartbeat is detected, the procedure cannot proceed.
These heartbeat bills have sparked controversy across the country, with many abortion advocates arguing that early abortion bans of this type are unconstitutional. The original heartbeat bill, He passed in North Dakota in 2013, was the first of its kind. Ultimately, lower courts and the Supreme Court ruled against the regulation. Most states that have passed similar legislation have faced or will undoubtedly face legal challenges under Roe v. Wade. The bills also set the stage for a potential review of the precedent-setting 1973 case at the high court, which has raised growing concerns on the left.
Pennsylvania Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-McElhattan), the bill’s sponsor, delivered an emotional speech sentiment in the Chamber’s meeting room:
“When you hear a baby’s heartbeat, everything changes,” she said. “If you can be declared dead when the heart stops beating, why not be declared alive when it starts?”
Governor Wolf is a known supporter of abortion under all circumstances. In March, he defeated a GOP majority bill that would have made abortions performed based on a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome a third-degree felony. 2017Governor Wolf vetoed legislation that would have restricted abortion access in Pennsylvania to 20 weeks of pregnancy and banned second-trimester “dilation and evacuation” abortions.
Wolf continues to view the legislation as extreme and pushes the victimhood narrative created by pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL, which argues that any abortion legislation constitutes an attack on women’s health care.
“Let’s be clear: I will veto any abortion ban that comes across my desk. The latest bill, the six-week abortion ban, defies any practical understanding of modern women’s health care.” – Wolf he said proposed heartbeat legislation.
Once called the most liberal governor in America, much of Wolf’s extreme views on abortion can be attributed to his mighty alliance with Planned Parenthood. Throughout his tenure as governor of Pennsylvania, Wolf was funded by the nation’s largest pro-abortion group. In his 2018 reelection bid alone, Wolf received $1.5 million and an enthusiastic endorsement from Planned Parenthood.
