New late-term abortion law splits Massachusetts Democrats
Caroline MolloyMassachusetts’ newly signed law removing the state’s 24-week gestational limit on abortion has exposed rare divisions among Democratic lawmakers in the state, some of whom have described the measure as extreme.
Signed by Gov. Maura Healey on Aug. 10, the law allows abortions at any stage during pregnancy “based upon the professional judgment of the physician.” It takes effect Nov. 8. As Zeale News previously reported, the legislation has drawn condemnation from many pro-lifers and Catholics, including CatholicVote CEO Kelsey Reinhardt, who called on Massachusetts’ bishops to clarify whether Healey excommunicated herself from the Catholic Church.
Massachusetts’ newly signed law removing the state’s 24-week gestational limit on abortion has exposed rare divisions among Democratic lawmakers in the state, some of whom have described the measure as extreme.
Signed by Gov. Maura Healey on Aug. 10, the law allows abortions at any stage during pregnancy “based upon the professional judgment of the physician.” It takes effect Nov. 8. As Zeale News previously reported, the legislation has drawn condemnation from many pro-lifers and Catholics, including CatholicVote CEO Kelsey Reinhardt, who called on Massachusetts’ bishops to clarify whether Healey excommunicated herself from the Catholic Church.
“This law, I believe, is not consistent with the beliefs of the vast majority of my constituents,” Markey said. “While many are pro-choice, you can still be pro-choice and see this law as going beyond the norms of acceptability.”
State Rep. Dennis Gallagher, D-Bridgewater, said he struggled with the vote. He told FOX News Digital that he believes abortion should be a decision between a woman and her doctor but noted that the previous state law already allowed abortions after 24 weeks when the mother’s or unborn baby’s health was at risk.
“At that point in a pregnancy, if the health of the mother is fine and the baby’s health is fine, I just think alternatives should be encouraged for that baby,” he said, according to the outlet. “So that’s what I struggled with.”
State Rep. Alan Silvia, a pro-life Democrat from Bristol, said that as a legislator he “cannot support policies that continue to expand abortion, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.”
