What the Pa. constitutional amendment package could mean for abortion and elections
The amendment package would add language to the Pennsylvania constitution declaring there is no right to abortion in the commonwealth.
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The Pennsylvania Senate and House on Friday passed a constitutional amendment package that would add language to the state constitution declaring there is no right to abortion in the commonwealth and that nothing in the constitution requires taxpayer funding for it.
The votes in both chambers came after Senate Republicans pushed the package forward in a late-night maneuver Thursday. The Senate Rules Committee waived a rule banning votes after 11 p.m., then voted to advance the package, which also included proposals to allow gubernatorial candidates to choose their running mates and change rules for Pennsylvania residents who want to vote in elections.
The House approved the same constitutional amendment late Friday night.
The bill — Senate Bill 106 — must pass the legislature in two sessions and be publicly advertised before it goes to voters. A governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment and voters have the ultimate say.
Here’s what’s next and what the package could mean if it moves forward.
What does it say about abortions?
The package draws from a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R., Blair County) last year. As with last year’s bill, the package advanced Thursday would add language to the commonwealth’s constitution that would state “there is no right to abortion” in the state and that nothing in the state’s constitution “requires taxpayer funding for abortion.”
» READ MORE: Pa. Senate approves amendment declaring that abortion is not a constitutional right
What does it say about voting?
The constitutional amendment package includes a proposal that would require voters to provide identification when casting ballots. If a voter doesn’t have a valid ID, they would be provided a government-issued identification, per the proposal.
What does it say about elections?
Under the proposed amendment, a gubernatorial candidate would be able to choose their running mate. The amendment package also would create a system for election audits.
How did Philly state senators vote?
The six state senators who represent districts that include Philadelphia all voted Friday to oppose the amendment.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Majority Leader Kim Ward of Westmoreland County, argued during debate that the amendment maintains the state’s “status quo” on abortion but prevents the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from expanding abortion rights.
State Sen. Sharif Street of Philadelphia, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, argued that the measure was designed to take away rights through “the tyranny of the majority.”
Philadelphia’s other senators are Nikil Saval, Christine Tartaglione, Art Haywood, Vincent Hughes, and Anthony Hardy Williams.
What’s next?
The Senate on Friday passed the amendment in a 28-22 vote, with one Democrat, Sen. Lisa Boscola of Northampton County, voting yes and two Republicans, Sens. Lisa Baker of Luzerne County and Dan Laughlin of Erie, voting no.
From here, the bill goes to the state House. The bill needs to be passed by both the full Senate and General Assembly in two consecutive sessions. Then it would be publicly advertised before becoming a referendum for voters to decide.
A governor cannot veto constitutional amendments.
Staff writer Chris Brennan and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA contributed to this article.