'Restore Roe' bill introduced by Democrats would overturn Wisconsin abortion ban

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Democrats unveiled a new bill Tuesday, aimed at restoring abortion access.

Roe v. Wade was overturned last June. Since then, state law bans the practice of abortion in the state without exceptions and threatens to prosecute physicians who provide abortion.

Signs reading "Restore Roe, Restore Freedom" set the scene in Gov. Tony Evers' conference room Tuesday, as he introduced a bill to overturn Wisconsin's abortion ban from 1849.

"What this bill will do is simple: it will restore access to safe, legal abortion to what it was on June 23, 2022. Nothing more, nothing less," said Governor Tony Evers.

The bill comes amid a pending lawsuit by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to overturn the ban.

"We can't just sit and wait for the courts to act. We need clarity now," said state Representative Lisa Stubeck.

Last week, Wisconsin Republicans announced their own bill that would update the current ban to add exceptions for rape or incest.

Evers said that's not enough.

"I won't sign a bill that leaves Wisconsin women with fewer rights and freedoms that they had before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe," Evers said.

Tuesday's news conference touched on patients seeking care out of state, and physician shortages in Wisconsin, specifically in obstetrics and gynecology.

"We know that we cannot expect more people to move here if they have to give up basic freedoms to be able to do so," said Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez.

"We are competing with other states that trust physicians and let them take care of their patients without political interference," said State Senator Kelda Roys.

Now, with a bill from each party, Evers is calling for a debate.

"We know what the polling says. The minimum, the minimum that we should have is an open debate on it," Evers said.

State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos responded to Evers' comments with a statement:

“The Democrats’ news conference was quite the spectacle, with Governor Evers’ hypocrisy on full display. Last week, Legislative Republicans introduced a bill that’s a reasonable middle ground to the divisive and opposing viewpoints on abortion. Governor Evers immediately said he would veto it. Legislative Republicans have continued to say we’re willing to discuss and find consensus. Instead, Governor Evers issues an ultimatum of no negotiating.”