CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A bill that would ban abortions in Wyoming if the Supreme Court overrules Roe v. Wade cleared its final hurdle yesterday.
Governor Mark Gordon signed House Bill 92 March 15. In the event the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the legislation would heavily restrict abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or if carrying to term would pose severe health risks.
Critics of the bill in the House and Senate, and among pro-choice advocates, worry that a future ruling on Roe v. Wade might not be so clear.
“The vagueness will kill us because, Mr. President, we don’t know what the Supreme Court decision will say,” said Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander.
Gordon’s signature on the bill is consistent with his conservative stance on social and political issues, but deviates from his approach to healthcare during the pandemic. Gordon frequently championed “personal choice” and and local control in pandemic-related health measures.
ACLU of Wyoming opposed the bill.
“A person’s health, not politics, should guide important decisions — including the decision to have an abortion,” said Libby Skarkin, ACLU of Wyoming campaigns director. “House Bill 92 puts unsound and unworkable processes into statue and deprives Wyomingites of one of their most fundamental freedoms.”
The bill cleared easily in the Senate last week by a 24-5 vote. The House of Representatives cleared it with a vote of 45-14.
