Abortion Bill Succeeds In The House With 44-30 Vote

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House of Representatives voted Thursday night to approve the controversial abortion rights bill by a vote of 44 to 30. The vote came just after 9 p.m., more than five hours after debate began.

"As a Catholic, I recognize how difficult this decision is," said Leader Robert Craven (D-District 32) at the start of the debate. "I think this is a compromise between two groups who can hardly agree that today is Thursday. We've made it."

The bill is called the Reproductive Privacy Act, and is sponsored by Representative Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence). It codifies rights guaranteed by Roe v. Wade and forbids all late-term abortions except when the life or health of the mother is at stake.

“I commend the House of Representatives for sending a clear message today that we as a state will not cower in the face of threats at the national level and that Rhode Island will stand strong in protecting women’s access to critical reproductive services," Rep. Williams said. "Due to this bill, Rhode Island will remain resolute in ensuring a woman’s privacy in making her own health care decisions and we will not turn back the clock on decades of progress for female reproductive health equality."

The bill was co-sponsored by Deputy Majority Whip Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) and Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick).

“We were all proud to cosponsor this legislation when Representative Williams introduced the bill and we are grateful for the House’s decision to pass this important piece of legislation that protects the freedom, privacy, and reproductive health of Rhode Island’s women,” the representatives said in a statement.

Three amendments to the bill were proposed throughout the debate, including one that would require a waiting period of 18 to 72 hours before an abortion could be performed. All were struck down.

The Womxn Project, and abortion-rights group in Rhode Island, applauded the passage.

"RI House made history tonight, because of you!" wrote the group on Twitter. "Together, we will keep up the fight to get this bill to the governor's desk this year and protect the promise of Roe in Rhode Island."

Planned Parenthood celebrated the vote as well.

"Thank you to all co-sponsors of the Reproductive Privacy Act, the lawmakers who voted yes, and the countless of activists and volunteers who worked tirelessly for this bill to pass! We did it! Senate, we are coming for you!" the group wrote on Twitter.

Thank you to all co-sponsors of the Reproductive Privacy Act, the lawmakers who voted yes, and the countless of activists and volunteers who worked tirelessly for this bill to pass! We did it! Senate, we are coming for you! pic.twitter.com/90mlvS9b7N
— PlannedParenthoodVotes!RI (@ppvotesri) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/ppvotesri/... 8, 2019

Mattiello scheduled the bill for a vote Thursday despite saying he would be voting against it.

"I am mindful that 70 percent of the people, in a poll conducted last fall, support the codification of Roe v. Wade into state law," Mattiello wrote in a statement. "I previously indicated the House would have a collaborative process on this issue and I would seek the guidance from the Judiciary Committee, my House colleagues and Rhode Islanders. After the collaborative process, the decision was reached to place the issue on the floor for a vote."

This was the first vote on abortion rights in the state since 1993. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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