Unexpected Veto of Abortion Ban in WV
Unexpected Veto of Abortion Ban in WV
03.31.14 - Great news out of West Virginia over the weekend. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed a bill that would have banned abortion after 20-weeks of pregnancy. According to ThinkProgress, Gov. Tomblin recognized that the measure was unconstitutional:
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Governor Tomblin Issues Statement Regarding HB 4588
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“However, I have vetoed HB 4588 because I am advised, by not only attorneys from the legislature, but through my own legal team that this bill is unconstitutional.
“The bill is also problematic because it unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship. All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require the best, most unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.“The medical community has made it clear to me that the criminal penalties this bill imposes will impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.”