House Democrats from Florida bashed the state’s six-week abortion ban as “draconian” as one of the strictest limits in the country went into effect Wednesday.
Reps. Frederica Wilson, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Lois Frankel, Kathy Casto, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Darren Soto, Maxwell Frost and Jared Moskowitz joined together to issue a statement bashing Florida’s new abortion law.
“Today and every day, the truth remains clear: People, not politicians, should be in control of their own reproductive health decisions,” the eight Democrats said. “Florida’s draconian six-week abortion ban is outrageous — a blow to Floridians’ reproductive freedom. Rather than progressing as a society, Florida’s suffocating law sets us back as a state.”
They argued that the decision to have an abortion is a personal choice that should remain out of the hands of politicians. They said the new law “threatens” doctors and nurses who might want to work in the Sunshine State.
“Floridians face a crisis under this tyranny, but they have an opportunity to make their voices heard come November,” they said. “Our state must choose: Stand for the freedom of individuals to control their own bodies, or shamelessly trample on people’s most personal medical decisions.”
“Our fight for reproductive justice is unwavering,” they said. “Until abortion access is guaranteed nationwide, our battle persists, not just in Florida, but across the nation.”
Last month, the Florida Supreme Court paved the way for the six-week abortion ban to take effect on May 1. The high court’s rulings upheld a 15-week abortion ban and allowed the six-week ban to kick in after 30 days. It also approved a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights into the Florida Constitution.
The court’s rulings have given Democrats fresh hope in competing for seats and maybe even the presidency, in Florida, a typically red state.