Abortion legislation clears Montana Legislature, more coming
Supporters of access to sexual and reproductive health services rallied Friday at the Montana Capitol as the Legislature, dominated by a Republican supermajority, granted final passage to two bills ralliers have strongly opposed.
In the Capitol's second-floor rotunda, lawmakers and advocates thanked the audience for their defiance during the session and in the legislative sessions to come.
"The truth is that people, not legislators really set the tone for the debate in this building," Rep. SJ Howell, D-Missoula, said at Friday's rally. "The truth is that all power is and always has been with the people."
If mostly party-line votes with GOP support and Democratic opposition continue, more legislation that opponents say would limit access to abortion care looks poised to be heading to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte.
[…]
“I think it's clear that the intent is to distort what is otherwise a safe and effective procedure that is the standard of care for women seeking abortions,” said Democratic Sen. Jen Gross, of Billings, on Thursday in the Senate. “This bill takes aim at the quality of life of Montana women and by proxy their families, their employers, our communities.”
At one point during debate on the bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Democratic members walked out over concerns about what they said was inflammatory and misleading language. Committee chair Sen. Keith Regier, the speaker’s father, said the debate was about “sharing ideas and opinions.”
Martha Fuller, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Montana, said during Friday's rally this session featured more misinformation than past Legislatures.
"This is the fifth legislative session that I have observed," she said. "It seems to me that I have heard more lies and misinformation about abortion and people who have abortions this session than I have ever heard before.
"No one, and I mean no one, cares more about health and safety of people who are having abortions in the state of Montana than Montana's abortions providers," she said.