Carmel, NY—Today, the Putnam County Legislature passed a resolution urging the repeal of provisions of New York’s Reproductive Health Act (RHA). The resolution calls upon members of the State Legislature to “introduce and support statewide legislation restoring the protections for unborn children formerly contained in the New York Penal Law and the New York Public Health Law that were repealed by the RHA.” It also calls upon Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign such legislation into law. At the meeting, Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF), delivered the following remarks:
“Along with other pro-life allies, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms fought against the passage of late-term abortion expansion legislation in New York for 12 years. Unfortunately, the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on January 22, 2019.”
“The Putnam County Legislature has displayed leadership and bravery by expressing ‘firm opposition’ to provisions of the Reproductive Health Act. To my knowledge, Putnam County is the first county in the State of New York to pass a resolution like this one. The County’s resolution lays out a strong and compelling case against the RHA based upon concern for women’s health and well-being and the health and well-being of unborn children. Furthermore, the resolution debunks the inaccurate and dishonest messaging that was used to promote the RHA.”
“The RHA:
- Removed abortion-related crimes from the books in cases where pregnant women miscarry after being assaulted;
- Allows third-trimester abortions for any reason (removing ambiguity that was present in existing law);
- Allows abortions to be performed by medical personnel other than physicians; and
- Repealed a law that mandated the provision of medical care to viable babies born alive as a result of late-term abortions.”
“After the Legislature passed the RHA, Gov. Cuomo held a ceremonial bill signing and ordered that One World Trade Center be lit up in pink to honor the occasion.”
“New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms thanks the Putnam County Legislature for taking today’s action. We, too, call upon members of the State Legislature to introduce legislation repealing the damaging provisions of the Reproductive Health Act; in fact, on March 19, 2019, we delivered 20,689 petitions to Gov. Cuomo’s office calling for the repeal of the entire RHA.”
“I am honored to be a part of this event, and I salute all those who are here to peacefully demonstrate for the cause of life. Together, we must raise awareness of the tragedy, brutality, and injustice of abortion until our state recognizes the error of its ways and reverses course.”