Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott Signs Bill Legalizing Abortions Up to Birth

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Jun 11, 2019   |   12:35PM   |   Montpelier, Vermont

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a radical pro-abortion bill into law Monday, allowing unborn babies to be aborted for any reason up to birth.

The Republican governor said the new law simply affirms legalized abortions in Vermont — “protecting reproductive rights and ensuring those decisions remain between a woman and her health care provider,” WAMC Public Radio reports.

However, pro-life leaders said the law really protects the abortion industry, not women.

“By putting his signature on H. 57, Governor Phil Scott endorses unlimited, unregulated abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy,” said Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of Vermont Right to Life. “His signature signals his preference for protecting the business of abortion over other life-affirming options in Vermont statute.”

State House Bill 57 recognizes abortion as a “fundamental human right” and ensure that the government does not deny, restrict or infringe upon a woman’s “right” to abort her unborn baby. It also removes protections for pregnant victims of violence and medical malpractice.

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Pro-life Republican lawmakers introduced several amendments that would have limited abortions after an unborn baby is viable and required parental consent for minors, but Democrats voted them down, WVNY News reports. A lobbyist for Planned Parenthood blasted the amendments as “burdensome,” according to the local news.

Vermont already is one of the few states that allows unrestricted abortions up to birth. The bill would codify this into state law.

Beerworth said Scott used to say he supported some moderate, common-sense abortion restrictions, including parental involvement for minors, but no more.

“With his signature, Gov. Scott has rejected any regulation of abortion, abortionists and abortion clinics, including measures to protect the health and safety of girls and women,” she said. “Scott has embraced without reservation the agenda of the powerful pro-abortion lobby.”

Previously, Beerworth warned that the bill would allow abortionists like Kermit Gosnell to practice without consequences. A Philadelphia abortionist, Gosnell was convicted of murdering three newborn babies and contributing to the death of a female patient, as well as dozens of other crimes in 2013.

“There’d be nothing we could do about” someone like Gosnell if House Bill 57 passes, Beerworth said earlier this spring.

The legislation does not have even minor, common sense abortion regulations, such as restrictions on aborting viable, late-term unborn babies or parental consent for girls under 18.

Prior to the House vote, state Rep. Brian Smith said it is ridiculous that a 12-year-old girl must have a parent’s permission to get a flu shot but not an abortion in Vermont, Seven Days Vermont reports.

“We’re about to give 12-year-olds the right to get an abortion, and I don’t think that’s right,” Smith said.

Polls indicate the legislation is radically out of touch with most Americans’ views on abortion. According to a national poll by Marist University, three in four Americans (75 percent) say abortion should be limited to – at most – the first three months of pregnancy. This includes most Republicans (92 percent), Independents (78 percent) and a majority of Democrats (60 percent). It also includes more than six in 10 (61 percent) who identify as “pro-choice” on abortion.

A May 2018 Gallup poll found that 53 percent of Americans oppose all or most abortions.

Vermont lawmakers also are considering a state constitutional amendment to ensure that women can still have abortions in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

ACTION: Contact Governor Scott to complain.