Evers’ Proposal Would Have Created a Pathway for Wisconsinites to Decide On Abortion Access

MADISON, Wis. — Today, Republicans in the state legislature gaveled in and quickly gaveled out of Governor Evers’ special session to create a pathway for Wisconsinites to repeal the archaic 1849 ban on abortion.

Governor Tony Evers released the following statement:

“We have to do everything in our power to protect access to abortion in Wisconsin and get politicians out of these personal decisions on reproductive health. 

On the ceiling of the Governor’s Conference Room in the Capitol is a phrase I’ve thought a lot about over the last three years: ‘the will of the people is the law of the land.’ Well, right now in Wisconsin, when it comes to reproductive freedom, the will of the people isn’t the law of the land—but it damn well should be.

We called this special session today to create a pathway for Wisconsinites to repeal the archaic 1849 ban on abortion in Wisconsin. I believe the people deserve more of a voice – and since they’ve been failed by the Republicans in this building behind me, we should give the people an opportunity to vote on these important issues. The people of this state should have the right to take a stand at the ballot box.

But true to form, Wisconsin Republicans have refused to act. That’s not leadership. And that’s certainly not democracy.

As far as I’m concerned, the right of Wisconsinites to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions is a fundamental freedom that shouldn’t have to be put to a vote—it was a right for nearly 50 years, it was a right until June 24th, and it should still be a right today.

This shouldn’t be about politics. This should be about doing the right thing for the women of this state.”