The Do-Nothing Republican Legislature

(MADISON)—Today, Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement regarding the Special Session to Protect Reproductive Rights and Healthcare Access:

“Republicans once again failed to show up for work today during the Special Session, ignoring the wishes of a majority of Wisconsinites, and doing nothing to prevent our laws from turning back 173 years to an era when women were second class citizens. Although I would not be surprised if several of them take per diems as if they came in for a full day’s work.

“It’s unacceptable for Republicans to refuse to debate. A large majority of Wisconsinites believe that abortions should be safe and legal in most cases, and decades of surveys show that the majority of voters from both parties support exceptions for rape, incest, and the health of the mother. Skipping the special session is hiding from debate and allowing the 1849 criminal abortion ban to become law again.

“Senate President Chris Kapenga made only a brief cameo to gavel the session in and back out again within seconds, ignoring Democrats objections and questions, and without so much as even saying hello.  The fate of fundamental rights should not be determined so passively and carelessly.”

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