The newly-minted Texas Abortion law has come to Florida, and now Florida Democratic state legislators—Moderates, Liberals, Progressive, Socialists—have come together in solidarity in support of Abortion rights.
It was only a matter of when not if, a Texas-style Abortion bill would be introduced in the Republican-led Florida Legislature, causing historically quiet first committee week to perk up as a result of the bill filing.
Rep. Webster Barnaby, a Black Republican, filed his Abortion measure to kick off the 2022 legislative season.
Rep. Barnaby’s bill is straightforward in that physicians are prohibited from performing an abortion if they detect a heartbeat at the 6-week mark of a pregnancy.
Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book called Barnaby’s bill “extreme,” adding that it “strips women of their right to choose what happens to their own bodies.”
Sen. Book opposition to the House bill will surely be met with tough, partisan rebukes from several of the minority caucus members, including Sens. Shevrin Jones, Annette Taddeo, and Jason Pizzo.
“The right of women alone to determine decisions about their bodies is not lost on the men of the @FLSenateDems,” stated Sen. Pizzo over the weekend.
In response to the Texas-style Abortion law, the Democratic-led House of Representatives voted on and passed a bill that Rep. Byron Donalds (R) alledges protects late-term abortions.
"Today, Nancy Pelosi is bringing the most radical pro-abortion legislation ever for a vote. This indefensible bill would remove every protection for the unborn and would allow taxpayer-funded abortions up until birth. I’m proudly standing for life and voting NO," tweeted Rep. Donalds.
Today, Nancy Pelosi is bringing the most radical pro-abortion legislation ever for a vote. This indefensible bill would remove every protection for the unborn and would allow taxpayer-funded abortions up until birth.
I’m proudly standing for life and voting NO. pic.twitter.com/kK4I7REX7l
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) September 24, 2021
Sen. Jones, along with Rep. Anna Eskamani (D), are both pressing the “Abortion Access” protests in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando on October 2.
The Florida March for Reproductive Freedom event Sen. Jones is promoting will be held at 3 pm at the Huizenga Plaza in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Rep. Eskamani’s event will be held at the Orlando City Hall between 11 am-1 pm.
Expect many more key Pro-Choice South Florida legislators, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), Sens. Book, Taddeo, and Pizzo, to possibly be in attendance at the Fort Lauderdale event.