The Republican-led Florida Legislature is looking at a new abortion ban in the HB 5 legislation. However, not every Florida legislator is on board with the approach the state has taken on this issue, as State Rep. Carlos G. Smith (D-49) has pledged to vote, "NO," on HB 5.
HB 5 if passed, would ban abortions 15 weeks after conception. This legislation just passed all the required committees and had the support of almost every Republican who encountered the bill in committee. Currently, the State House is preparing to see the bill on the floor this week.
Many changes have been discussed, however, certain groups like Florida Voice for the Unborn claim it does not do enough in terms of abortion restrictions and abortion jargon.
One of Florida's more progressive representatives, Rep. Smith, took to Twitter before the House vote on HB 5 this week, pledging he would vote, "NO," on measure. Smith goes on to add that, "The decision on whether to terminate a pregnancy is between a person, their FAMILY, their DOCTOR + their FAITH."
The decision on whether to terminate a pregnancy is between a person, their FAMILY, their DOCTOR + their FAITH.
We must protect the #freedom of Floridians to access to safe & legal abortion.
I’ll again be voting NO on the 15 week abortion ban this week on the House floor. #HB5 pic.twitter.com/RqzaITNULc
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) February 13, 2022
"We have to do everything that we can to make sure that we empower and continue to protect this freedom of Floridians to be able to have access to safe and legal abortion," said Rep. Smith.
Smith is not alone in his opposition. Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-47) will also be against the bill as it is written. Recently, Eskamani also took to Twitter where she clarified her stance on abortion in Florida claiming, "no such thing as a reasonable abortion ban."
