Rep. Lepore-Hagan, Ohio Democrats unveil constitutional amendment to preserve abortion rights
A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution would ensure Ohioans can access surgical and medical abortion services and codify the right to use contraceptives, according to a Tuesday news release from the Ohio House.
Youngstown’s state Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-58th, joined fellow Ohio Democratic sponsors Nickie Antonio of Lakewood, the Senate’s assistant minority leader; House Minority Whip Jessica Miranda of Forest Park; and Sen. Sandra Williams of Cleveland to discuss the measure during a Tuesday media briefing broadcast on The Ohio Channel.
A leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court suggests justices intend to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion.
“For years, Republicans have made it their top priority to ban abortion and take away a woman’s freedom to make the health care decisions that are best for them. Republicans want to force their extreme political views on Ohioans to control us,” Lepore-Hagan is quoted in the release. “That is why my Democratic colleagues and I will empower Ohioans by introducing an amendment to protect the freedom to make your own personal healthcare decisions.”
Miranda is quoted in the release: “As a survivor of sexual violence and abuse, I know firsthand what it is like to have control of your body ripped away from you. It is a complete violation of your freedom and your autonomy. We aren’t truly free unless we can control our own bodies, lives and futures. That’s why I’m sponsoring this amendment to guarantee all Ohioans the freedom to make our own decisions about our reproductive healthcare.”
Antonio is quoted in the release: “One of the cornerstones of our democracy is the concept of personal freedom and liberty. As Americans, we celebrate the fact that we have the right to make our own private, personal decisions for ourselves and our families, which includes making the difficult decision to have an abortion. There simply isn’t space for the Ohio General Assembly to insert themselves into the personal private healthcare decisions of Ohioans. Our proposed amendment will enshrine reproductive rights into our state’s constitution and end the ongoing assault on reproductive rights.”
If Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion laws would essentially be left up to states.
Two bills pending before the state legislature, House Bill 598 and Senate Bill 123, would ban abortions in the state, without exceptions for rape, incest or to protect the health of the mother, according to the release.
The House bill is co-sponsored by Valley state Rep. Mike Loychik of Bazetta, R-63rd. One of the Senate bill’s primary sponsors is state Sen. Sandra O’Brien of Rome, R-32nd. State Sen. Michael Rulli of Salem, R-33rd, is a co-sponsor.
Republican Attorney General Dave Yost this month said his office would seek to revive Ohio’s “heartbeat bill” currently blocked by a federal court, which would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, Cleveland.com reported. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine also told reporters he would sign legislation banning all abortions in the state.
Nearly 60% of American adults said they want abortion laws to be more permissive, rather than restrictive, according to a recent CNN poll. That same poll found only 30% of Americans said Roe v. Wade should be overturned entirely, McClatchy News reported.
Lawmakers’ amendments to the Ohio Constitution need a three-fifths vote for passage. That means 80 affirmative votes from the 132-member General Assembly, which is about two-thirds Republican. If the measure passes, it would be placed on an election ballot for approval by a simple majority vote, according to the Secretary of State’s office.