Pa. Democrats hold 2 rallies

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling handing oversight over abortion laws to the states, Democratic state lawmakers are “ready to rumble” to defend Pennsylvania’s abortion access.

At two Capitol events held on Monday in response to the Friday’s court decision, Democratic legislators and abortion-rights supporters told voters to get involved and urge others to stand up to ensure women’s reproductive rights are protected in this state.

“The Republicans in Harrisburg have shown us who they are. They’ve shown us they don’t believe in women’s rights. They’ve shown they don’t believe it should be up to each and every birthing person to decide what happens with their own body,” said House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia. “But we’re not here crying with tears. We’re here ready to rumble.”

Sen. Judy Schwank, DBerks County, said now that the U.S. Supreme Court put state legislatures on the front line of abortion access, “we’re going to see a push by the (Republican) majority in both chambers to act on this ruling and implement restrictions here in Pennsylvania.”

Pointing out how other states already have or are moving to restrict or ban abortions, Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, said some women are faced

with traveling hours to access this option.

“So imagine what is at stake when we have extremist judges but also Republicans in our backyard ready

with bills in the House, ready with a constitutional amendment in the Senate,” Cephas said. “So this isn’t a rally. This is a call to action.”

Following Friday’s court ruling, House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County, and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre County, issued a statement saying, “This ruling presents a necessary opportunity to examine our existing abortion law, and discussions around possible changes are already underway.”

While the Democratic lawmakers who support abortion rights know Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has and will continue to serve as their backstop to prevent any abortion restrictions from becoming law as long as he is office, proposed constitutional amendments are a different matter. The governor cannot veto them.