Gov. Scott takes heat from both sides on abortion bill

Gov. Phil Scott’s office has indicated that the governor will let a controversial abortion rights bill become law, but how he goes about it has become a hot topic for abortion proponents and pro-life groups alike.

As most other states move to limit abortion and restrict it to the earliest moments of pregnancy, lawmakers in Vermont passed legislation that declares a “fundamental right” to abortion up to the moment of birth.

It is yet unclear whether Scott will sign the bill or merely let it become law without his signature. By not signing the bill, it will eventually become law by default. The passive approach is generally perceived as a strategy to appease both sides of the sensitive issue, but it may also anger pro-life groups and pro-abortion activists.

Those who support unrestricted abortion would like to Scott to publicly affirm his support for H.57 while other states are placing further restrictions on terminating human life.

Among states, Alabama has taken the strongest stance against abortion. On May 15, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law the most restrictive anti-abortion measure in the United States since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. The “Human Life Protection Act” bans all abortions except when “abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk.”

Alabama’s law also criminalizes abortions as a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison for doctors who perform the procedure. Attempted abortions will be classified as a Class C felony.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp signed what is called the “fetal heartbeat” bill. This prohibits abortions once a heartbeat can be detected from the embryo, about five to six weeks into the term. More recently, a research team funded by the British Heart Foundation at the University of Oxford found a baby’s first heartbeat can occur even as soon as 16 days after conception.

Six states have passed abortion restrictions similar to the so-called heartbeat bill. Also, six states have enacted what are being called “trigger laws,” which means legislation would take effect in the future if the 1973 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade gets overturned.

These laws propose that if the decision on abortions is left to the states, abortion would become automatically illegal. Nine other states have introduced “trigger law” bills.

All these new laws putting restrictions on abortion has spurred at least one demonstration on the Statehouse front lawn.

While Vermont is generally considered to be pro-choice, pro-life supporters have been very visible this year at the Statehouse, routinely outnumbering pro-abortion activists at public hearings and public marches.

This strong pro-life community is not happy with his decision to allow H.57 to become law, even without a signature.

Gregory Thayer, of Bomoseen, is urging Vermonters to take action and call the governor.

The governor has stated in a news conference that he believes there would be fewer people upset about the bill if there was a better understanding of what it does and does not do. Vermont currently has no laws restricting abortion, and supporters say the purpose of this bill is to maintain the status quo, especially in the event that abortion law changes at the federal level.

Vermont is not alone in pushing for more abortion rights. Nevada’s majority-female assembly recently passed a bill which would end the requirement that doctors warn patients about the emotional implications of an abortion.

Vermont’s anticipated passing of H.57 has gained national news attention. The New York Times has weighed in, noting that Vermont is moving in a separate direction from other states.

“The Vermont bill, aimed at providing some of the strongest protections for abortion rights in the nation, came as crowds of supporters for such rights gathered on Tuesday outside state houses and on the steps of the Supreme Court to protest abortion bans like Alabama’s,” it states.

In the Times piece, Vermont state Rep. Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington, explains why she thinks H.57 is necessary.

“In this time when, across the country and nationally, when Roe v. Wade and individuals’ access to private, reliable reproductive health care and abortion is in question, we thought we’d better be clear in Vermont,” she said.

Meanwhile, media advocating a pro-life perspective is getting censored. The new documentary “Unplanned,” which is based on the memoir of former Planned Parenthood activist Abby Johnson, has been banned in Canada.

Abortion supporters on Facebook wrote letters to the social media giant demanding that the popular site remove ads for pregnancy centers which do not provide abortions.

Michael Bielawski is a reporter for True North Reports. Send him news tips at bielawski82@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TrueNorthMikeB.

Image courtesy of Gov. Phil Scott official Facebook page

16 thoughts on “Gov. Scott takes heat from both sides on abortion bill

  1. Abortion up to the day of birth is pure insanity………….let’s make the State capital building the new State Mental institution….Really just think about what they are doing up there, pure crazy!

  2. Gov.Benedict Scott has proven time and time again to be of no redeeming moral character,a liar who cares not for himself or that of Vermonters.
    How he has the nerve and gall to show his face in public is beyond many Vermonters,he needs to just go away and stay the Eell away for the public good and that of Vermont.

  3. Can someone in this liberal legislature under the golden dome explain how they are angering one hundred thousand plus gun owners in Vermont by constantly passing useless anti- gun legislation and fostering the BIG lie that a waiting period will prevent suicides. Anybody who can think on their feet knows these laws will do absolutely nothing to prevent suicides. Here’s the confusing part. Why are these folks foaming at the mouth to once again damage our Constitutionally protected second amendment while congratulating and patting themselves on the back for passing a disgusting and shameful abortiion law that that allows innocent babies to be murdered after being born. So as I understand this it’s ok to murder hundreds , possibly thousands of new born babies but GOD forbid a person decides to end their life with a firearm. I believe with all my heart that there is a hereafter and truly wonder how you will account for these irresponsible and embarrasing decisions that clearly fly in the face of GOD and nature. Governor Scott I implore you to seriously give a good look at this travesty and tell these ” lawmakers ” to pound sand.

  4. Abortion is an abomination. Roe v. Wade was all about giving women the same sexual freedom as men. This is biologically impossible among much of the mammalian class. (Consider the male lion who sits around doing nothing while his female mate does all the work: raising the little ones, even feeding the King.) Unfair? Sure, but it’s the law of nature. Get used to it.

    Despite all the hysteria to the contrary, life begins at the benchmark of conception, not at some arbitrarily concocted timeframe such as a trimester one, two, or three, and coming soon? the new and improved fourth.

    The birth of a healthy baby is the emergence of the ultimate innocence and should be a celebration of the ethereal beauty of the event. Gov. Scott: you should hang your head.

  5. There was NOTHING more important for this legislature, that stands with Planned Parenthood, than pass a bill that would keep abortion legal all nine months of pregnancy with no regulations or restrictions. We all know that Gov. Scott has no power or desire to stop H57, so it does not matter if he signs it or not. I personally would not want the Gov. of Vermont to sign such a terrible bill but it is not my choice. My heart breaks for the State I love.

    • Planned parenthood bought all those running for office in this last election. They publically reminded everyone before voting incase they forgot. This little questionnaire, answer 100% and money for your election. Proud to say I got 0% on their questionnaire.

      • Every time I read a story about Phil Scott I wonder, what does he stand for? I finally realize the answer is nothing.

  6. There are two sins: one of commission and one of omission, If your governor is pro-life he wouldn’t sign this bill or let it become law by default. Coward.

  7. That’s it, Scott. On to the next screw ball. When, if ever, are we going to find another true conservation???????????

  8. The progressive left has no moral high ground whatsoever. Why stop at the point of birth, why not make it a month after to terminate the child because he or she cries too much? Why not two months? Three? What is their argument against that?

    • I agree. It makes no difference. You are taking a life either way. But If some deranged person or criminal takes a life with a gun however, they have to change the laws that affect all the law abiding gun owners. We really need to send these people back to wherever planet they came from.

  9. The man is a worm. Period. Welcome to the world of infanticide, Scott. And it’s all because of you. Sleep well.

  10. Good, now we all know the Governor is spineless when he sides with this horrendous bill
    being pushed by ” Regressive DemocRATs ” and the woman’s choice BS.

    Apparently, it shows just how stupid Regressive’s really are when they need a bill to help
    them with a decision on bearing children, it’s pretty easy ” Keep your pants up ”

    I use to think Scott had some common sense but allowing the death of the unborn is the
    lowest thing he could do………All siding with an agenda.

    Using abortion as birth control, the moral decay of our state.

    .

  11. The big business abortion lobby, Planned Parenthood and UVMMC, want this bill. It’s all about the money. If it weren’t about the money, the legislature might have realistically supported a pro choice stance that makes sense…like limiting abortion up to 20 weeks.
    Certain members of the general assembly and the VT Democratic Party were threatened by Pro-abortion groups regarding campaign funding and support for re-election. Anyone who supports this bill, even mildly, has caved to the corporate money mill in VT.

    • Just another example of how Vermont is owned and operated by lobbyists, PAC’s and crony capitalists, what you say rings so true and at rah same time is so sad.

  12. Good he’s taking heat but this law shouldn’t even be considered as it’s coming from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) effected leftist mentally unstable with massive butt hurt. Making a law because “in this time” Is not only irrational it’s from the insane. These people need help and VT not even building big enough buldings to hold the 60% of leftarded population. IT’s more about protecting the right to kill from their favorite “ARMS” Dealer PP…

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