The Senate and Assembly quickly gaveled in and out of special sessions as Dem lawmakers booed and called on their majority Republicans to pass legislation that would protect the right to abortion access.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, signaled earlier this month his chamber would quickly gavel out of yesterday’s special session called by Gov. Tony Evers. The Dem guv called on the Legislature to overturn Wisconsin’s 1849 law that would criminalize abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer told WisPolitics.com yesterday’s actions made clear the GOP is not interested in protecting abortion access.

“We will continue to advocate for full access to comprehensive care, but we’re always open to conversations If Republicans want to come to the table and talk about substantive policy,” said Neubauer, D-Racine. “We have yet to see them do that, as evidenced by the fact that they couldn’t even come in today.”

Senate President Chris Kapenga took 14 seconds between gaveling in and then out of yesterday’s session. The Delafield Republican in a press release slammed Evers for what he said was political gamesmanship.

“This is nothing more than a calculated campaign move & the exact reason why the Legislature isn’t in session during campaign season,” he said. “He’s not fooling anyone with this political stunt.”

Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, on the Senate floor seconds after Kapenga gaveled out, commented on the length of time spent in session.

“Another hard day in the do-nothing Republican Legislature,” he said.

Evers slammed Republicans for not taking up legislation to protect abortion access during the special session.

“Any day now, the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, a ruling that has guaranteed the reproductive rights Wisconsinites have relied upon for nearly 50 years,” the guv said. “Today, given the opportunity to protect those very rights, Republicans balked, leaving women and families across the state behind and providing no certainty or security for accessing the reproductive healthcare every person deserves.”

See Evers’ release here.

See Kapenga’s statement here.

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