Democratic lawmakers in Connecticut said they’re prepared to protect women’s health care and abortion rights in the state, whomever is confirmed to the vacant Supreme Court seat. Pro-choice advocates are concerned that the conservative candidates under consideration may entertain a challenge to Roe v. Wade.
Connecticut state Senator Mae Flexer said that’s an important reason to strengthen state laws to protect women’s health care.
"We need to do whatever we can here in the state of Connecticut," Flexer said at a news conference Tuesday. "The Supreme Court will have long-lasting impact on women's health care in this country, and it's important that here in Connecticut we be proactive. We cannot just sit by and think that these rights will be maintained for decades to come as they have in decades past."
Republican lawmakers in the state have already introduced bills that would curtail abortion rights. Senator Bob Duff, the leader of the Democratic caucus, gave a pledge on the issue.
"I will block any anti-women, anti-choice, and anti-women's health bill from coming up for a vote in the state senate," Duff said.
There are bills currently proposed which would require minors seeking an abortion to have parental consent. There's also a measure which would require women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion.
Democratic lawmakers have sponsored a series of bills to strengthen women’s access to a range of health care services.