Gov. Wolf Files Lawsuit Against PA Legislature Over Abortion Rights

HARRISBURG, PA — Efforts of Republicans in the General Assembly to prevent abortion access in Pennsylvania are "extraordinary" and the methods unconstitutional, Gov. Tom Wolf argued in a new lawsuit he filed against the body on Thursday. Republicans, all too cognizant that any anti-abortion law passed by the GOP-controlled legislature would be vetoed, are attempting to circumvent his influence with constitutional amendments.

Amendments are not subject to veto power, and if approved, would land on the ballot for voters to make the final call.

"Frustrated that their legislation may face my veto pen again, they instead loaded multiple unrelated constitutional amendments into a joint resolution and rammed the bill through during the budget process, Gov. Wolf said in a statement. "As long as I remain governor, I will take every step to ensure that abortion remains legal, safe and accessible in Pennsylvania."

It comes weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, leaving reproductive health laws to the states and throwing the future of abortion in Pennsylvania into a haze that will not clear until the gubernatorial election this fall.

Specifically, the proposed amendment would change the Pennsylvania constitution to note that the state does not "grant the right to taxpayer-funded abortion or any other right relating to abortion." The amendment was approved by the state senate earlier in July. State Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair), who sponsored the legislation, argued that it's meaning is to return power to the legislature, not make a final decision on abortion.

“This legislation preserves critical checks and balances,” Ward said at the time. "State law regarding such an important issue as this should not be made by unelected judges. This legislation guarantees that the job of making abortion policy will stay in the hands of the people’s elected representatives."

The governor's lawsuit, filed in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, seeks to prevent the amendment from reaching its next stage. In order to change the constitution, the bill would need to be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions this year and next, before being placed on the ballot for voters to make the final decision. That could happen as soon as the 2023 election.

“Make no mistake, this is a coordinated effort to take away reproductive rights," the governor added. Gov. Wolf signed an executive order in an effort to protect abortion access for out of state residents weeks ago.

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