(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz today condemned the Alabama state legislature, and other states, for attacking women’s reproductive health by passing restrictive anti-choice legislation.
The governors of Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio recently signed controversial bills that would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected, and Arkansas shortened the cutoff point for legal abortions from 20 weeks to 18 weeks. The Alabama measure, which Governor Kay Ivey signed into law today, however, is the most restrictive. In addition to the potential 99-year sentence for performing abortions, doctors face 10 years in prison for attempting to perform one.
“Every woman in our country has a constitutional right to determine their own medical care, and a decision by any state government that contradicts that is an affront to the principles of our nation,” Governor Lamont said. “Simply put, this legislative decision in Alabama will lead to more pregnancy-related deaths and unsafe abortions will increase. This needs to stop. I’ll work with anyone who believes we need to protect our constituents from these kinds of laws that roll back decades of progress.”
“It is outrageous that the Alabama legislature has banned abortions even in cases involving rape and incest,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “It’s no coincidence that all these states are passing restrictive anti-choice legislation at the same time. This is all part of a sinister, coordinated legislative and judicial effort led by President Trump to reverse Roe v. Wade. These actions are a direct assault on women. Connecticut is proud to have a statute that codifies Roe v. Wade and we will not remain silent as women across this country are being punished for exercising their constitutional right to make decisions about their healthcare. The State of Alabama should worry less about college football and focus more on protecting women’s reproductive health.”
Connecticut codified Roe v. Wade in state law in 1990.
The Republican-controlled legislature in Alabama has repeatedly sought to rollback protections on women’s reproductive rights by enacting a 48-hour waiting period for abortions, mandating that women receive counseling before the procedure, and requiring consent from a parent or legal guardian for minors.