Health, Aging, and Long Term Care Committee Democrats Oppose Proposed Abortion Ban

MADISON - Today, the Assembly Committee on Health Aging and Long Term Care held a hearing on a Republican bill that would ban abortions after the 13th week of pregnancy. 

Democrats on the committee, Reps. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee), Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg), Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), and Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement ahead of today's hearing: 

“On the 51st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Republicans are attacking the reproductive freedom of Wisconsinites. Today, we stand together with the people of Wisconsin in support of protecting access to safe and legal abortion.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the United State Supreme Court, Republicans have argued that an archaic Wisconsin law from 1849 bans nearly all abortion in the state, effectively halting abortion services for all Wisconsinites. Now, Republicans are seeking new ways to limit abortion access.

Introducing an abortion ban on a Friday with a hearing scheduled for the next Monday with little time for public input, it is clear that Republicans are intent on restricting access to abortion even though it is deeply unpopular with the people of Wisconsin. Despite the short notice, we have heard from Wisconsinites across the state that they oppose this proposed ban.

Determining if and when to have an abortion is a personal decision that should be made by patients and their doctors, not by politicians. Wisconsinites need the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions.

Republican legislators want to enact abortion bans and limits on reproductive health care access. We, the Democrats on the Assembly Committee on Health Aging and Long Term Care, will fight to strengthen and expand reproductive rights in our state.”

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