New Hampshire House Soundly Rejects Package of Extreme Anti-Abortion Bills
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2020
CONCORD -- On Thursday night, the New Hampshire House voted to reject four bills that would have restricted or outright banned access to abortion care. This extreme package of anti-abortion legislation had strong bipartisan opposition. The House made “inexpedient to legislate” (ITL) recommendations for all four bills: HB 1475, HB 1640, HB 1675, and HB 1678.
Most of these bills, including one that would have banned abortion at six weeks (before most women even know they’re pregnant), were unconstitutional and all would have dramatically rolled back the clock on access to safe, legal abortion in the Granite State. By voting to oppose these attacks on reproductive health care, the House continued its long bipartisan tradition of supporting the right to privacy, particularly when it comes to personal medical decisions.
Statement from Sabrina Dunlap, VP of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, NH:
“We are thankful that the New Hampshire House continued its bipartisan tradition of supporting reproductive rights by voting to reject these four bills that would have restricted or banned access to abortion. As the U.S. Supreme Court hears a case that could effectively be the end of Roe v. Wade, New Hampshire has shown clearly that it will not let national political extremism undermine our state’s respect for privacy and freedom. This vote sends a strong message to anti-abortion rights politicians that their attacks will not be tolerated in the Granite State.”
These votes came at a critical time for reproductive health care access in New Hampshire and nationwide. Just last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, a case that threatens to decimate Roe v Wade. This case comes as state legislatures passed 25 abortion bans last year -- none of which are in effect because they’re unconstitutional.
Support for abortion rights in New Hampshire is higher than almost anywhere else in the United States, and the Granite State has one of the most supportive landscapes for abortion access in the country. If Roe v. Wade were overturned tomorrow, abortion would remain safe and legal in New Hampshire.
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Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health care for women, men and young people across the State of New Hampshire. We serve New Hampshire residents through 6 health centers in Claremont, Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and White River Junction, VT. In 2018, we saw nearly 14,000 patients at these sites.
Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. The Action Fund makes independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to targeted candidates for public office. PPNHAF maintains a separate, segregated political committee and fund to make direct campaign contributions to endorsed candidates (the PAC).