During a recent 30 minute interview with Josh Fenton, the Speaker of the Rhode Island House, Speaker Mattiello, talked about the Reproductive Health Care Act. We have transcribed that section to save you time and added our voice as well.
– – – – – – – – – – –
Josh Fenton: …One of the issues here for a majority of Rhode Islanders is that they want to make sure that the existing sort of court’s decision, the precedent-setting Roe v. Wade is kept in place. Are you committed that you will help shepherd through some legislation that will preserve the existing structure of Roe v. Wade in Rhode Island?
Speaker Mattiello: I, so just let be thorough on this, I am personally pro-life, but I generally have kept the data in place between pro-life and pro-choice folks. Every civilized nation and in the world allows choice, right, and I recognize that the United State is going to and so should Rhode Island.
Wow this sounds promising! What’s the catch?
Speaker Mattiello: There is no case anywhere in the country that that is challenging Roe v. Wade.
So that’s the catch – Is he for real? There are currently 14 cases pending in the courts that could undermine Roe v. Wade. Learn more here
-> Center for Reproductive Right’s Call to Action
Speaker Mattiello: So I’ve often said it’s not an issue that’s moot and will always look at all issues and I’m willing to consider all issue, but right now I don’t believe its as pressing as some folks do.
Josh Fenton: If it became pressing would you be open as Speaker to preserve the existing structure?
Speaker Mattiello: What I can tell you is if it became pressing, a lot of folks in the Chamber that right now don’t necessarily want to address it would would think its appropriate to address. We have a lot of folks in society and when you have and there’s this very large pro-choice population out there.
Josh Fenton: The majority.
Thank you Mr. Fenton, in fact 63% of Rhode Islanders support safe and legal abortion.
Speaker Mattiello: Probably the majority and you just can’t neglect that so I mean we’re all mindful of what society is going to expect and need.
So Mr. Speaker if you can recognize that we are a probably a majority, why won’t you step up and let this bill come to the floor?
