Madison, WI – Today, the Wisconsin State Legislature will take up Governor Evers’ special session to repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban. Republican legislative leadership intends to gavel in and out of the special session, preventing the legislature from debating or repealing Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban. In a October 2021 Marquette Law School poll, 61 percent of Wisconsinites believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“The GOP – the party that cherishes the principle of freedom— has continued to contradict themselves by refusing to uphold the right to bodily autonomy. Abortion is a private medical decision and we must respect that people will carefully consider the best option for themselves. Politicians have no place inserting themselves into reproductive health choices of their friends and neighbors. Today’s refusal to take action and repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban speaks volumes of my Republican colleagues’ character, or lack thereof.

“Wisconsinites’ rights don’t deserve to be held hostage by the GOP’s bigotry. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that my Republican colleagues will refuse to do the right thing for the people of Wisconsin. They have demonstrated time and time again that they will back extremist right-wing ideologies over the will of the people.

“Abortion is healthcare. Period. We must respect people’s ability to make their own healthcare decisions and not impose our beliefs upon others. Republican legislators in Wisconsin are using their personal belief as a way to divide our state and impede on our individual freedoms—this is irresponsible and dangerous.”

Print Friendly, PDF & Email