RI Abortion Rights Bill Approved By Committee

The full Rhode Island Senate will vote on the House's abortion rights bill next week. After Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Erin Lynch Prata unexpectedly sent the bill to the Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday, the new committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of the bill, passing it by a vote of 8 to 2 on Thursday evening.

"For so many of us, today is a watershed moment," said Sen. Gayle Goldin, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill that was defeated in the Judiciary Committee last month. "It makes sense that the bill would be here in Health. After all, abortion is healthcare."

The National Right To Life anti-abortion organization, which opposes the bill, called Sen. Lynch Prata's transfer a "brazen" violation.

South County Sen. Elaine Morgan, staunchly opposed to the bill, unsuccessfully moved to send the bill back to its original committee for consideration. Republican senators also unsuccessfully lobbied Senate President Dominick Ruggerio to order the bill back to its original committee, to which Ruggerio simply responded, "Your request is denied."

Here's a breakdown of how each committee member voted:

• Joshua Miller (Democrat): Yes
• Gayle Goldin (Democrat): Yes
• James Sheehan (Democrat): Yes
• Elizabeth Crowley (Democrat): Yes
• Valarie Lawson (Democrat): Yes
• Donna Nesselbush (Democrat): Yes
• Thomas Paolino (Republican): No
• Adam Satchell (Democrat): Yes
• Bridget Valverde (Democrat) : Yes
• Elaine Morgan (Republican): No

Sen. Goldin said the committee's passage of the bill would be "a beacon of hope for the rest of the country," setting the example that Rhode Island is committed to providing women the choice to take charge of their healthcare decisions.

"First, let me say I am pro-life," said Sen. Elizabeth Crowley, saying she had spent hours talking with constituents about the bill on both sides of the issue. "I believe this bill deserves the attention of the full Senate, so I will be voting yes."

The bill is scheduled to be considered by the full Senate on Wednesday evening.

Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin, usually a loud voice against the bill, has been noticeably quiet throughout the Senate committee votes.

Planned Parenthood praised the committee's decision, calling for Rhode Islanders to send emails to the senators who voted yes.

"The Reproductive Privacy Act PASSES out of Committee. It is now headed to the Senate floor," the organization tweeted. "Today we celebrate and tomorrow we get back to work."

The bill has had a long journey to the Senate floor. The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill on March 5, and after more than five hours of debate it was approved by the full House of Representatives on March 7.

Rhode Island Abortion Rights Bill Coverage:

• Senate Judiciary Committee Delays Abortion Rights Bill Decision
• RI Senate Committee To Vote On House Abortion Rights Bill
• Rhode Island Abortion Protection Bill Rejected
• Abortion Bill Succeeds In The House With 44-30 Vote