Dec. 12, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) today voted on legislation that would redefine the time in which a woman can get an abortion in Pennsylvania from six months to five months, and prohibit the practice of dismemberment abortions unless very specific parameters are met.
“The original law to grant the right to an abortion to women who are up to six months pregnant was based on a child’s viability outside the womb at that gestational age; however, with changing medical technologies, a child can now be viable at five months, or 20 weeks. Also, it has been proven that the unborn can feel pain starting at 20 weeks gestation,” said Ward, a member of the House Pro-Life Caucus. “
Senate Bill 3 would also prohibit the practice of dismemberment abortions, which is a gruesome and inhumane method of aborting a child.”
During the final vote on Senate Bill 3, Ward delivered an impassioned speech about her support for Senate Bill 3 and the protection of all human life. To view her House floor comments, go to
https://youtu.be/pN3T7NbNpsE.
Over the past several years, 16 states have now begun to reduce the maximum gestational age for legal abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks. These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
“It is time Pennsylvania views the life of the viable unborn with the same amount of respect and compassion that we show their mothers,” said Ward. “The children of this Commonwealth need and deserve our protection. Senate Bill 3 is not about the right to an abortion; it is about changing the timeframe in which an abortion can take place in order to protect the right to life of a child who can survive outside the womb.”
Senate Bill 3 passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by a vote of 121-70. It now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf, who has already said he will not support the bill.
Representative Judy Ward
80th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepJudyWard.com /
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