Rhode Island Abortion Rights Law Garners National Attention

Rhode Island's newly minted "Reproductive Privacy" law has caught the attention of several national organizations on both sides of the abortion debate. The American Civil Liberties Union, Susan B. Anthony List and LifeNews.com all issued statements on the bill's passage on Thursday morning.

"Shame on you Governor Raimondo," Susan B. Anthony list, a national anti-abortion organization, tweeted Thursday morning. "You betrayed unborn babies....and even your constituents."

The organization released a statement strongly opposing the decision, saying that more than 70 percent of Rhode Islanders said they opposed late-term abortions during polling.

"It is extremely disappointing to see Rhode Island lawmakers cave to pressure from the abortion lobby to pass this radical bill," the organization's president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a statement. "More than three in four Ocean State voters – Democrats, Independents, women, and a strong majority of self-described pro-choice voters – agree expanding late-term abortions is too extreme. Rhode Islanders should not be fooled by the smokescreen of ‘compromise’: this law expands abortion on demand through the moment of birth. We thank all the legislators, especially the many courageous Democrats who stood firm in their opposition and fought for the will of their constituents."

Meanwhile, the ACLU praised the decision, saying Rhode Island has set an example for the rest of the country.

"Rhode Island just passed a bill codifying Roe v. Wade and ensuring the right to abortion will be protected in the state no matter what the Supreme Court does in the future. Any attempt to overturn Roe will be met with the full firepower of the ACLU, but this is great news.," the organization said. "We know the trend of state abortion bans is scary and it can feel overwhelming, but pay attention to states like Rhode Island, Nevada, Illinois, Maine, Vermont, and New York: We won't go back. Abortion is legal. Abortion is a RIGHT."

Senate lawmakers approved the bill on Wednesday night following several hours of debate and five failed amendments in a vote of 21 to 17. The bill was then immediately returned to the House of Representatives, when the Senate's amended version was briefly debated and again approved by a vote of 35 to 29. That same night, the bill became law when Governor Gina Raimondo signed it, surrounded by the legislation's sponsors and supporters, thanking lawmakers for their work on the legislation over the past six months.

Here in Rhode Island, Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin called the bill's passage "profoundly disappointing," thanking Rhode Island Catholics for their vocal opposition.

"The passage of the pro-abortion law in R.I. is profoundly disappointing, a very dark day in the history of our state. But...to the pro-life community, sincere appreciation! Your witness to the dignity of human life has been powerful, peaceful and prayerful. God is pleased!" Tobin wrote in a series of Tweets. "Don't be discouraged by this very temporary set-back. We will continue to oppose the prevailing culture of death in our society and faithfully and joyfully proclaim the goodness and beauty of life! God bless you!"

Rhode Island Abortion Rights Bill Coverage:

• Rhode Island Latest State To Affirm Abortion Rights
• Coventry Senator Wants 'Trigger Amendment' In Abortion Bill
• 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
• RI Abortion Rights Bill Approved By Committee