PR.5 – DECLARATION OF RIGHTS; RIGHT TO PERSONAL REPRODUCTIVE LIBERTY
PASSED
in the State House of Representatives
on February 8, 2022, by a vote of
107-41
Purpose: Proposal 5 (aka Article 22), is a proposed amendment to the state constitution that states in full, “That an individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one’s own life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.” This vote was the final in a four vote process (two by the Senate and two by the House) over two legislative sessions, the result of which sends the Proposal to the voters of the state for final approval or rejection.
Analysis: Those voting YES argued that a constitutional amendment is necessary to protect abortion rights in case Roe v. Wade is overturned at the federal level, as well as guarantee other rights beyond abortion that are related to reproduction, such as birth control, sterilization, and sexuality.
Those voting NO argued that the vaguely worded language in Proposal 5, which does not mention "women" or "abortion" opens a pandora's box of potential unintended consequences, including but not limited to: allowing for unregulated abortion up until the time of birth; giving a man equal rights in the reproductive process to the woman, which could require her to go to court to secure her choice regarding an unborn child if that choice is in conflict with the father; allowing eugenics of genetically modified "designer" babies; legalizing pedophelia between "consenting" partners.
As Recorded in the House Journal, for Tuesday, February 8, 2022. “Shall the House adopt the constitutional proposal in concurrence?, was decided in the affirmative. Yeas, 107. Nays, 41. (Read the Journal, p. 192 – 195).
Watch the floor debate on YouTube.
How They Voted
(Click on your Rep’s name to send an email)
Sally Achey (R - Middletown Springs) – NO |
William Lippert (D – Hinesburg) – YES Curtis McCormack (D – Burlington) – YES Kirk White (P/D - Bethel) – YES Rebecca White (D – Hartford) – YES Dane Whitman (D - Bennington) – YES Terri Lynn Williams (R - Granby) – NO Theresa Wood (D – Waterbury) – YES David Yacovone (D – Morristown) – YES Michael Yantachka (D – Charlotte) – NO |
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