House Bill 0148 (HB0148) requires licensed physicians to perform chemical and surgical abortions only after an ultrasound. If performed otherwise, the bill has criminal penalties for violations.
There were multiple readings and speeches given from both sides of the argument. However, in the end, Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed HB0148, “Regulation of Surgical Abortions.”
John Bear is a representative for the Wyoming house district 31 and was a co-sponsor on the bill. He made several suggestions for the amendments in the bill and provided testimony.
“I am a pro-life legislator and although I have supported previous legislation that banned abortion in Wyoming, those efforts have been stymied by the pro-death crowd via litigation. This measure would have at least made sure that the women going through with an abortion were safe and informed. Unfortunately, the governor has vetoed this bill and left those women unprotected like the unborn that will be lost in abortions in Wyoming,” said Bear.
On campus, students and faculty have also had many conversations concerning the results of the house bill.
The club, Reproductive Rights, is student-run and focused around activism and education for reproductive rights, access to abortion and birth control in Wyoming.
“All the things that were in the house bill were completely unnecessary and were just going to make abortion more dangerous and to access it was not about women’s health care like it claimed,” said Liz Youngman, president of the Reproductive Rights group.
Opposing views across campus are disappointed in the choice to veto by the governor.
“House Bill 0148 would have saved countless lives; seeing your living child in your womb is a massively effective way to dissuade you from killing your own kin. Plus, if abortion is healthcare—as many like to argue—then the regulations and licensing that this bill required should be welcomed, as they would make the procedures ‘safer,’” said President of Students For Life at UW.
“The fact that Governor Gordon vetoed this bill just goes to show how little life in the womb is valued and the willing cowardice of our officials,” she said.
There are many views and opinions on campus. Bills of this nature are still being reformed, but as of right now the governor has chosen to veto the bill.
