MN House Passes DFL-Backed Abortion Rights Bill

ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill enshrining abortion rights into state law Thursday night. The bill passed by a narrow vote of 69-65, with lawmakers split along party lines.

"Every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth, or obtain an abortion, and to make autonomous decisions about how to exercise this fundamental right," the Protect Reproductive Options Act reads.

The abortion rights bill also states that cities and other local government entities in the state "may not regulate an individual's ability to freely exercise the fundamental rights set forth in this section in a manner that is more restrictive than that set forth in this section."

Democrats voted down an amendment that would have banned third-trimester abortions. Another proposed amendment, which would require abortion facilities to be licensed, also failed.

Abortion is already legal in the state due to a 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling titled Doe v. Gomez. But following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June, Minnesota Democrats want abortion access to be enshrined in state law.

"Not every positive pregnancy test is a celebration. And not every ultrasound appointment ends with good news," said Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, the bill's co-author, on the House floor.

"And I, as a politician, have no business making that decision for someone else."

Republicans and anti-abortion activists opposed the bill, calling it extreme.

"The Democrats' taxpayer-funded, abortion-on-demand agenda is extreme and out of step with the people of Minnesota," said Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann in a statement.

"Let’s be clear: The PRO Act would mean it’s legal for any baby to be aborted, for any reason and at any time up to birth," said Minnesota Citizens Concerned For Life's Cathy Blaeser.

"The absolutist extremism of this bill would put Minnesota in the company of just a handful of countries worldwide, among them China and North Korea. Mothers and babies deserve a far more humane and compassionate approach."

The bill will now head to the Democratic-controlled Minnesota Senate, where it faces similarly good odds of passing.