PA House Advances Bills Restricting Abortions, Wolf Pledges Veto

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday advanced plans to restrict abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat except when the mother's life is in danger.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Centre County, passed 15-10 by the House Health Committee. The bill would require all physicians to determine whether the baby has a heartbeat before proceeding with an abortion.

"The Pennsylvania Legislature has previously considered changing the limit on abortion to 20 weeks," Borowicz stated in a recent memo to colleagues. "While this is a significant move in the right direction, the fact is that even at 20 weeks abortion stops a baby’s beating heart. My legislation, like that which has been introduced in Congress, a beating heart will stop abortion."

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

Gov. Tom Wolf pledged to veto the legislation. He released a statement Tuesday on the measure, calling it "appalling."

“I want to be clear: I stand firm in my commitment and support of reproductive rights," Wolf said.

But Borowicz said she is undeterred. “Whether the governor vetoes this legislation is irrelevant,” she said. “Ultimately, I am fully accountable to Almighty God, the Author of Life, whose word proclaims that he knew us before we were knitted together in our mother’s womb."

Borowicz's bill was one of three that advanced Tuesday.

The committee also passed House Bill 118, which would establish requirements to give parents final decision-making authority over the remains of their child, even if the child is lost prior to birth.

Additionally, House Bill 1500 advanced. That legislation would prohibit the abortion of any child due to a diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Wolf said members of the legislature "continue to play politics around health choices."

He added: "I will not let the commonwealth go backwards on reproductive rights or access to health care. I will veto any anti-choice legislation that lands on my desk."

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion-rights activists worry that the court ruling upholding the law could pave the way for more restrictive abortion restrictions.