On June 26th, 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that would have placed strict limits on abortions in the state. The bill, known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” would have required doctors to provide medical care to any infant born alive during an attempted abortion. It also would have made it a felony for doctors to fail to do so.
Governor Cooper, a Democrat, stated in his veto message that the bill was unnecessary and would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. He also argued that the bill was unconstitutional, as it would restrict a woman’s right to access abortion care.
The Republican-controlled legislature in North Carolina has vowed to override Governor Cooper’s veto. However, they will need a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate to do so. This could be a difficult task, as Democrats hold enough seats in both chambers to sustain the veto.
The debate over abortion rights has been a contentious issue in North Carolina for years. In 2019, the state passed a law banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This law was later struck down by a federal judge, who ruled that it was unconstitutional.
Proponents of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act argue that it is necessary to protect infants who survive attempted abortions. They claim that some doctors may intentionally withhold medical care from these infants, allowing them to die.
Opponents of the bill argue that it is unnecessary, as there are already laws in place to protect infants who are born alive. They also argue that the bill is part of a larger effort to restrict access to abortion care.
The debate over abortion rights is likely to continue in North Carolina and across the country. As states pass more restrictive laws, and courts weigh in on their constitutionality, it is clear that this issue will remain at the forefront of political discourse for years to come.
