RI Right To Life Denounces Mattiello, Other House Lawmakers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island's Right To Life Committee withdrew its endorsements of six House lawmakers, including Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, following the vote on the Reproductive Privacy Act on Thursday night. The bill was approved by a vote of 44-30.

"The Rhode Island Right To Life Committee retracts its endorsements of Democratic State Representatives John "Jay" Edwards, John Lombadri, Nicholas Mattiello, Danial McKiernan, Joseph Skekarchi and Scott Slater," the organization wrote in a statement Thursday night.

READ MORE: Abortion Bill Succeeds In The House With 44-30 Vote

Reps. Edwards, Lombardi, McKiernan, Skekarchi and Slater all voted in favor of the bill. Mattiello scheduled a vote on the bill despite saying ahead of time that he would not be supporting 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 said 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."

The Reproductive Privacy Act, sponsored by Rep. Anastasia Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence), codifies the rights guaranteed by the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. The bill protects abortion access rights while banning all late-term abortions except in when the mother's health or life is at risk.

44 representatives voted in favor of the bill, while 30 opposed. The full breakdown of votes by representative can be found on the legislature's website. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

READ MORE:

• House To Vote On Abortion Bill Thursday
• House Judiciary Committee Passes Abortion Bill 9-7