By Matt Murphy, State House News Service |
December 28, 2020
Gov. Charlie Baker. (Photograph by Chris Van Buskirk/SHNS.)
The Massachusetts House and Senate are back in session today with legislators pondering whether to override Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto last week of a bill codifying the right to an abortion in state law expanding access for women after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Known as the ROE Act, the bill would also lower the age of consent for an abortion to 16, which the Republican governor said he “cannot support.” The Christmas Eve action by the governor kicks the issue back to the legislature, where Baker said he hopes Democrats will reconsider his compromise proposal. After rejecting his proposed amendments, leadership in both the House and Senate are more likely to seek to override the governor within the next two weeks and appear to have the votes, even if by just a narrow margin.
Despite agreeing with key elements of the bill, Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed legislation Thursday that would codify the right to an abortion in state law and make.
Gov. Baker vetoes abortion bill known as ROE Act Share Updated: 3:33 PM EST Dec 24, 2020 By Matt Murphy, State House News Service The Massachusetts State House in Boston
TRACKING THE COVID-19 VACCINE Share Updated: 3:33 PM EST Dec 24, 2020 By Matt Murphy, State House News Service Despite agreeing with key elements of the bill, Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed legislation Thursday that would codify the right to an abortion in state law and make the procedure in Massachusetts more accessible by expanding access for women after 24 weeks of pregnancy.The bill known as the ROE Act would also lower the age of consent for an abortion to 16, which the Republican governor said he cannot support. The Christmas Eve action by the governor kicks the issue back to the Legislature, where Baker said he hopes Democrats will reconsider his compromise proposal. After rejecting his proposed amendments this week, leadership in both the House and Senate are m