Jul. 08, 2022 / Press Release
HARRISBURG — PA House Health Committee Majority Chair Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/ Forest) today congratulated her House and Senate colleagues for advancing the “Life” Amendment
(Senate Bill 106) which proposes to amend the state Constitution to clarify that abortion and taxpayer-funded abortions are not constitutional rights.
“Final adoption of the Life Amendment would place the decision of how to prohibit or regulate abortion squarely in the hands of the people and their elected Legislature, where it rightfully belongs,” said Rapp. “Pro-life or pro-choice, this should never become a polarizing issue. The people of Pennsylvania do not support the taxpayer funding of elective abortions. Exclusively subjecting abortion regulations or legislation to the governor’s overactive veto pen or overreaching judicial activism handcuffs the Legislature from taking action to protect life and disenfranchises voters.”
Watch Rep. Rapp’s House floor remarks preceding passage of Senate Bill 106.
In addition to the Life Amendment, Senate Bill 106 proposes four other separate and distinct amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution, including changes to the nomination of candidates for lieutenant governor, requirements for auditing elections and election results by the auditor general, changes to the qualifications of electors to require voter identification, and an additional exception to the presentment clause of Article III, relating to disapproved regulations.
The Life Amendment does not ban abortion or change any of Pennsylvania’s existing restrictions on abortions. If passed in identical form during two consecutive legislative sessions, the people will decide the fate of these proposed constitutional amendments via a voter referendum. Proposed amendments to the constitution also cannot be vetoed by the governor or overturned by the judiciary.
“Unavailable when Roe v. Wade was imposed nationwide by judicial fiat in 1973, the settled science now tells us that unborn children feel pain at roughly 15 weeks old,” said Rapp. “Without question, Roe v. Wade has remained as a constant and costly obstruction to the will of the people and the sanctity of human life. It makes perfect sense that the General Assembly has the freedom to consider future proposals based on the latest research, technology and, most importantly, citizen input, rather than being chained by unconstitutional court interpretations or Planned Parenthood pandering executive orders.”
The House Health Committee maintains legislative oversight over abortion, abortion facilities and teen pregnancy policies.
Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
RepRapp.com /
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