Gov. Wolf Vetoes Controversial Abortion Bill, Calls It 'Extreme'

HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill that would have banned abortions in Pennsylvania starting at 20 weeks, calling it a "bald-faced attempt to create the most extreme anti-choice legislation in the country."

The bill passed the House by a 121-70 vote last week. Wolf had pledged he would veto it if it came to his desk.

During a veto event Monday, Wolf was joined by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, legislators, local elected officials, and women’s reproductive rights advocates.

“This legislation is an attempt to criminalize the decisions that women make about their own health care, and this legislation destroys health care options for victims of the horrors of rape and incest. For these reasons, I am vetoing this bill today," Wolf said.

The bill called for banning abortions after 20 weeks "except in the rarest of circumstances," Wolf said, noting it left no exceptions for rape, incest, health, or tragic fetal anomalies.

Legislators could attempt a veto override, which requires a two-thirds vote of all of the members in each chamber. That would be unlikely, Planned Parenthood noted. Both chambers were shy of that mark when passing the bill.

Supporters of the bill, including 2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner, expressed disappointment. Wagner said Wolf is standing in the way of protecting "the innocent lives of our unborn" by vetoing the bill.

"If given the opportunity as governor, I pledge to sign this legislation into law," Wagner said.

PHOTO: Gov. Wolf official portrait