Senator Judy Ward: “Setting the Record Straight,” Republican Style
Judy Ward, a State Senator who represents parts of Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Cambria counties, wrote a column in the Gettysburg Times “to correct what has been reported” about Senate Bill 106, the proposed constitutional amendments that the Republicans sprung in the legislature’s last hour. The deceptiveness and disingenuousness of this column is breathtaking.
She decries the “many falsehoods circulating about what the amendments would do,” including “the most egregious” falsehoods, which she claims are the criticisms of the amendment on abortion.
She complains that many people claim the amendment is an abortion ban. But in reality, says Ward, this is “completely false.” Nor are the statements that IVF might be at risk or that ectopic pregnancies would have to be carried to term. All untrue, claims Ward. If the amendment passes, “Pennsylvanians will continue to have a statutory right to an abortion …” And, continuing her idyllic portrait, she says “Medicaid will continue to cover …rape or incest … IVF, ectopic pregnancies, and D&C procedures would be allowed under the same rules that exist today.” In fact, the amendment would simply “preserve the status quo.”
But then she lets slip, when she tries to paint a pretty picture of “policymaking … placed exactly where it belongs: … through their elected officials.” Yes, it will be left up to “the people’s elected representatives.”
Like I said, breathtaking. I assume Senator Ward isn’t stupid, but she sure must think her constituents are. First, she conveniently “forgets” to mention that this proposal would take away a right that is now enshrined in the Pennsylvania Constitution. Her claim that the amendment, even upon its adoption, would “preserve the status quo” and continue the “same rules that exist today” is a lie, simple as that. Something that’s a constitutional right today and subject to “the people’s elected representatives” tomorrow is hardly unchanged. And her claim that everything will hum along unchanged glosses over the fact that the whole purpose of this legislative proposal is to allow the legislature to enact whatever abortion restrictions it wants. Her promise that Medicaid funding, IVF, and all those other procedures will continue “under the same rules” is another lie because she knows very well that under the amendment the legislature could do anything up to making it a felony and banning out-of-state travel.
State Senator Ward owes her constituents and readers of the Times an apology.
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This series is written to promote political discussion and organizing. Permission is given to use this in fact sheets, talking points, letters to the editor, etc. We’d appreciate if you notified Gettysburg DFA (leonsreed@gmail.com) of any uses. Written by Leon Reed.
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