Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A proposal to claw back funds for public media has already passed the House of Representatives. Montana Public Radio and stations across the country receive critical federal funds to strengthen our work. The Senate could vote on the proposal in the coming days. To add your voice in support of Montana Public Radio visit Protect My Public Media.

Californians can vote to add abortion to the state's constitutional rights

Pro-choice protesters gather outside the US Courthouse to defend abortion rights in downtown Los Angeles on May 3, 2022, after a Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked.
FREDERIC J. BROWN
/
AFP via Getty Images
Pro-choice protesters gather outside the US Courthouse to defend abortion rights in downtown Los Angeles on May 3, 2022, after a Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked.

Residents of California will be able to vote to add abortion rights to their state's constitution on their midterm election ballots in November.

The state Assembly voted Monday to amend Article 1 of the California Constitution to say, "The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual's reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives."

Midterm elections are Nov. 8.

The bill passed the state Senate last Monday, and does not need the governor's approval.

The amendment comes three days after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case, which made abortion a constitutional right across the nation.

Almost half of America's 50 states are expected to outlaw abortion, but California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he has no plans to do so.

"Abortion is legal in California. It will remain that way," he tweeted. "We will not cooperate with any states that attempt to prosecute women or doctors for receiving or providing reproductive care."

California Senate President Toni Atkins and Assembly Member Anthony Rendon introduced the legislation shortly after the court's decision was leaked in May. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is listed as a co-sponsor of the legislation.

"Abortion is health care, and should be a private discussion between a patient and their health care provider," Atkins said. "When politicians and judges force themselves into that room, safety goes out the window."

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tags
Ayana Archie
[Copyright 2024 NPR]
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information