Governor Rick Scott signed a number of bills into law Wednesday, including a controversial abortion bill.
Opponents, like Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa), say mandating a woman wait 24-hours before she gets an abortion is just another impediment to a woman’s right to choose.
“When a woman decides that this is the procedure that she wants to have, she doesn’t need another 24-hours because she’s already given it long, serious thought because this is important,” said Joyner. “And, now for the Governor to sign a bill that creates a major imposition for a lot of women who will have to come from far away just to have the procedure. Now, they have the added expense staying somewhere, someone to keep the kids, missing their job. I mean, it’s ridiculous.”
But, Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami), who sponsored the bill, disagrees.
“I’m grateful that the Governor has allowed this bill to come into law,” said Flores. “This bill simply allows women to have a 24-hour time period to reflect over having this major decision that will have long-term consequences, not just physically, but mentally as well. And, so, before going into this major, medical procedure, give women a moment and some time to reflect as to the consequences—both positive and negative—and so, I’m grateful that we’ll be joining several other states that have similar waiting periods.”
The bill’s approval comes as new stats show abortions in Republican-led states pushing for abortion restrictions have decreased. That includes Florida, which dropped by ten percent in the last four years.
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