North Carolina Governor Condemns State GOP Overturning Veto of 12-Week Abortion Ban
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has sharply criticized the state’s Republican lawmakers for overturning his veto of their proposed 12-week abortion ban, calling the move “a dangerous and shameful disregard for women’s health and rights.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Cooper accused the GOP-controlled legislature of “playing politics with women’s health” by passing a bill that he sees as unconstitutional and a blatant attempt to limit access to reproductive health services.
Cooper’s veto of the bill, which was passed by the General Assembly earlier this week, was overridden on Friday by a narrow margin in the House of Representatives. The Senate had already voted to overturn the veto on Thursday.
The new law, which will take effect in 90 days, prohibits abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy, except in cases where the mother’s life is in danger. The bill also requires doctors to perform ultrasounds before performing abortions and to report certain details about the procedure to state officials.
Critics of the measure have argued that it will harm women’s health and restrict their access to safe and legal abortions. They also argue that it is unconstitutional, as it conflicts with the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which established a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.
Cooper, a Democrat, reiterated these points in his statement, saying that the new law “puts the government between a woman and her doctor” and “interferes with medical care that should be based on science, not politics.”
He also vowed to continue fighting against what he called “extreme and unconstitutional” attempts to limit reproductive rights in North Carolina.
The governor’s statement was met with strong support from abortion rights advocates and women’s health groups, who praised him for standing up for women’s rights and taking a strong stance against the GOP’s “dangerous and misguided” agenda.
However, Republican lawmakers argued that the new law is necessary to protect the health and safety of women and their unborn children, and that it reflects the values of many North Carolinians who believe in the sanctity of life.
“The people of North Carolina have spoken, and they have made it clear that they want to protect innocent life and ensure that women have access to the best possible care during pregnancy,” said Rep. Pat McElraft, one of the bill’s sponsors.
Despite opposition from Democrats and reproductive rights advocates, the new law is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future, as it will be difficult to challenge in court without a major legal battle. However, the controversy surrounding the bill is likely to continue, with many activists vowing to fight against what they see as an attack on women’s health and reproductive rights.