BY JENNIFER MCDERMOTT, March 5, 2019 07:27 PM ||
Lawmakers in Rhode Island are seriously considering whether to enshrine abortion protections in state law, joining states around the country that are revisiting their laws in anticipation of renewed federal fights over abortion.
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Tuesday, 9 to 7, codifying the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision establishing a nationwide right to abortion. It’s backed by many Democrats in the chamber. Many activists were at the State House to voice their support or opposition.
A floor vote is scheduled for Thursday. Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, who is anti-abortion, said Tuesday that while he’ll vote no, the House aims to address abortion rights in a collaborative way and the bill represents a consensus about how to proceed.
A Senate bill by Democratic Sen. Gayle Goldin is being modified to match.
