DVJ Delegation Report Card, June 14: Ending The Emergency Order, Down Syndrome Abortion Ban

By Charlie O’Neill, Delaware Valley Journal

June 14, 2021

The Pennsylvania legislature dealt with two high-profile issues during the session last week: Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency declaration order and the abortion issue. Here’s a recap of how the Delaware Valley delegation voted:

ENDING EMERGENCY DECLARATION

Less than a month after being granted authority by the voters of Pennsylvania to eliminate an Emergency Declaration, the state House and Senate voted to do just that. The House took the lead voting for the HR 106 on Tuesday, June 8 on a party-line vote of 113-90. The Senate added an amendment and passed the measure 30-20 on June 10th.

One Democrat, Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh and Northampton) voted with Republicans, along with Independent Senator John Yudichak. The final vote in the House took place on June 10th, and eight Democrats crossed party lines for a vote of 121-81. Representatives, Boyle, Burns, Kulik, Longietti, Matzie, Mullery, Sainato, and Snyder broke ranks to vote with Republicans.

Final Senate Vote:

Yes

Bucks: Mensch (R), Tomlinson (R)

Montgomery: Haywood (D), Mensch (R)

No

Bucks: Collett (D), Santarsiero (D)

Chester: Committa (D), Kane (D), Kearney (D), Muth (D)

Delaware: Cappelletti (D), Kane (D), Kearney (D), William, A (D)

Montgomery: Cappelletti (D), Collett (D), Hughes (D), Muth (D)

Final House Vote:

Yes

Bucks: Farry (R), Galloway (D), Labs (R), Polinchock (R), Schroeder (R), Staats (R), Thomas (R), Tomlinson (R)

Chester: Hennessey (R), Lawrence (R), Williams, Craig (R)

Delaware: Quinn (R), Williams, Craig (R)

Montgomery: Boyle (D), Hennessey (R), Mackenzie (R), Pennycuick (R), Stephens (R)

No

Bucks: Davis (D), Warren (D)

Chester: Herrin (D), Howard (D), Otten (D), Sappey (D), Shusterman (D), Williams, Dan (D)

Delaware: Davidson (D), Delloso (D), Kirkland (D), Krueger (D), McClinton (D), O’Mara (D), Vitali (D), Young (D), Zabel (D)

Montgomery: Bradford (D), Briggs (D), Ciresi (D), Daley (D), DeLissio (D), Guenst (D), Hanbidge (D), Malagari (D), Sanchez (D), Shusterman (D), Vitali (D), Webster (D)

THE ABORTION CONTROL ACT

The House voted last week on legislation to amend Pennsylvania’s Abortion Control Act. HB 1500 sponsored by Representative Kate Klunk (R-York) would prohibit abortions based solely on the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Currently, the only reason an abortion can be prohibited is on the basis of gender. The measure passed 120-83 with 10 Democrats voting yes and three Republicans voting no.

Yes

Bucks: Farry (R), Labs (R), Schroeder (R), Staats (R), Tomlinson (R)

Chester: Hennessey (R), Lawrence (R), Williams, Craig (R)

Delaware: Quinn (R), Williams, Craig (R)

Montgomery: Boyle (D), Hennessey (R), Mackenzie (R), Pennycuick (R),

No

Bucks: Davis (D), Galloway (D), Polinchock (R), Thomas (R), Warren (D)

Chester: Herrin (D), Howard (D), Otten (D), Sappey (D), Shusterman (D), Williams, Dan (D)

Delaware: Davidson (D), Delloso (D), Kirkland (D), Krueger (D), McClinton (D), O’Mara (D), Vitali (D), Young (D), Zabel (D)

Montgomery: Bradford (D), Briggs (D), Ciresi (D), Daley (D), DeLissio (D), Guenst (D), Hanbidge (D), Malagari (D), Sanchez (D), Shusterman (D), Stephens (R), Vitali (D), Webster (D)

The Delaware Valley Journal provides unbiased, local reporting for the Philadelphia suburbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more stories from the Delaware Valley Journal, visit DelawareValleyJournal.com