North Carolina’s Democratic governor theatrically vetoed a bill that would virtually ban abortion in his state, setting the stage for a clash with the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
Roy Cooper, who is strongly pro-choice, held a rally in his capital, Raleigh, on Saturday.
In front of a crowd waving signs proclaiming “politicians make shitty doctors,” Cooper waved his rubber veto stamp.
“There are three things I have to do,” he said.
“First I need a veto message – an official veto message that I have to sign. The second thing I have to do is give him the veto stamp.
The crowd erupted in wild applause, as the 65-year-old former attorney general dramatically stamped the document.
Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor of North Carolina, is seen on Saturday vetoing a bill banning abortion after 12 weeks
Cooper held a rally on Saturday to celebrate his veto vote
“The veto stamp has been applied. Now is the time for me to sign under the seal of veto,” he said as he stopped to sign.
“We now have a bill that has been vetoed,” he thundered.
These legislative procedures generally take place without fanfare and behind closed doors.
But Cooper’s high-profile performance illustrates the stakes of the battle: Republicans are now determined to override Cooper’s veto, and Cooper must fight to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Four Republicans — three members of the State House and one state senator — have pledged to protect abortion rights.
Their party leaders will try to convince them to abandon their positions and toe the party line: Cooper intends to keep them on his side.
If both houses approve the waiver by a three-fifths majority, the bill becomes law. If he doesn’t get the votes, Cooper’s veto stands.
An abortion rights activist is seen in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday
A group of doctors stood on stage with Cooper as he vetoed the bill
The bill sped through the legislature in less than 48 hours in early May, drawing criticism from Democrats and abortion-rights supporters who called for a longer period of analysis and debate typical of such legislation. .
The measure would ban elective abortions after 12 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest, life-limiting fetal abnormalities and medical emergencies.
It would also require doctors to be present when abortive medications are administered and that people wanting a medical abortion have an in-person consultation with a doctor 72 hours before the procedure.
This would make it more difficult for out-of-state abortion seekers to obtain the service in North Carolina.
Republican lawmakers called the bill “common sense legislation” that represented a compromise that stopped short of the more restrictive bans that a majority of American voters opposed.
Democratic opponents called it “devastatingly cruel” and said it would force women to have illegal abortions.
The bill includes funding for foster families and childcare as well as paid parental leave.
Kamala Harris, the vice president, condemned the bill, tweeting on May 4 that the bill was “extreme” and risked women’s lives.
Cooper is seen with his veto stamp, as the doctors behind him cheer
“North Carolina Republican lawmakers passed an extreme ban on abortion that would interfere with essential medical care and put women’s health and lives at risk,” she said.
“@POTUS and I will continue to fight to restore Roe’s protections under federal law.”
Cooper told the rally on Saturday, “This bill has nothing to do with women’s safety and everything to do with banning abortion.”
“If only one Republican finds the courage, if only one Republican listens to the doctors, if only one Republican is not afraid to stand up to the political bosses, if only one Republican keeps this promise to the people, then we can stop this ban. . ‘
Demi Dowdy, spokesperson for Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, said CNN she’s confident lawmakers will override Cooper’s veto and reject his efforts to “get those Republican members to vote for him.”
Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the anti-abortion group North Carolina Values Coalition, criticized Cooper for vetoing the bill and for organizing her rally the day before Mother’s Day.
“His actions would crush provisions aimed at giving women more choices in life, improving clinic safety standards and ending the barbaric and painful practice of partial abortion,” she said. .
Near-total abortion bans have gone into effect in 14 states since the U.S. Supreme Court revoked federal abortion rights in June 2022, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an advocacy research group. abortion rights.
Abortions in North Carolina rose 37%, more than in any other state, in the first two months after the ruling, according to a study by the Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit that promotes the right to abortion and research.
North Carolina was a haven for women seeking abortion care as southern states tightened restrictions.
