Governor Tom Wolf Vetoes Bill Outlawing Abortions Over Down Syndrome
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Democratic governor is vetoing a bill that would prohibit abortions because of a prenatal Down syndrome, a day after it passed the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Gov. Tom Wolf rejected the legislation Thursday that had just passed the Senate on a near party-line vote.
Pennsylvania law allows abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy for any reason except to select a gender.
The bill would have added to that prohibition abortions over a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Backers say the measure is needed to protect a vulnerable population whose lives are productive.
Opponents argue it violates the right of women to make their own decisions about abortion and caution against forcing parents to raise children with the genetic chromosomal disorder.
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