BREAKING NEWS: 
PRO-ABORTION RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ANNOUNCE EXTREME ABORTION AMENDMENT TO FLORIDA CONSTITUTION IN 2024

Amendment Uses the Word Health, Which Has Been Legally used to Justify Any Abortion, Making It Highly Deceptive and Misleading

(Tallahassee, FL) Monday, May 8th, 2023. A group of pro-abortion activists has announced that they seek what they claim as an “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.” The coalition making this announcement includes the ACLU and is forming a new committee called “Floridians Protecting Freedom,” along with Planned Parenthood, Florida Rising, and Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida. They hope to get this amendment onto the ballot in November of 2024.

In response to this announcement, John Stemberger, President of the Florida Family Policy Council, issued the following statement:

“The wording of this proposed amendment is extreme in its effect and is extremely misleading. They reference viability limitations but open the door to abortion on demand for any reason by using the word “health.” The word health has been legally interpreted very broadly to justify abortion for practically any reason, including depression, fatigue, dizziness, hormonal issues, etc. The abortion doctor, who has an economic interest in performing the abortion, subjectively determines whether the “health” of the mother is in question. The amendment will also nullify all current abortion regulations in Florida law, including parental consent, the 24-hour waiting period, and clinic safety regulations. This is a terrible amendment for the safety of Florida women and their unborn children. We will vigorously fight to defeat this in court and, if necessary, at the ballot box.”

Although they have not officially filed the language as of this writing, the ACLU provided Fox News with the following ballot summary and actual amendment text:

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.” (Emphasis added)

The Full Text of the Proposed Amendment would create a New Section. “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion Limiting government interference with abortion.— Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” (Emphasis added)

The coalition has announced spending millions of dollars on this effort. If the proposal reaches the ballot, the measure will need approval from 60% of voters to pass. Citizen’s initiative amendments like this also require Florida Supreme Court approval on the “single subject” rule and that the ballot summary is not misleading.

Polling from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the Florida Family Policy Council shows that 62% of Floridians support legislation to protect unborn babies when a heartbeat is detected, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. This is why the six-week heartbeat bill was passed during the recent legislative session. It accurately reflects the will of the people of Florida.

Katie Daniel, State Policy Director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said, “Governor DeSantis consistently acts on the will of the people who overwhelmingly support parental consent before an abortion for minors and want to protect babies with beating hearts.”

For interviews or more information
Contact: Noah Fay
407-780-7844
[email protected]

 

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