The North Carolina General Assembly overrode a veto from Governor Roy Cooper Tuesday night, deciding along party lines to make a bill limiting most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy law. It’s the latest measure passed in the U.S. following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 and it reduces North Carolina’s prior limit from 20 weeks of pregnancy.

While the bill had many other aspects, the abortion component was the most controversial — partially because of Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate working to put it together behind closed doors before fast-tracking the bill through each chamber. Abortion rights supporters have criticized the measure since its unveiling, pointing to vague language and the lack of input from medical professionals. Local women’s health doctors said the limit at 12 weeks — and additional limits on abortions stemming from rape or incest — will threaten pregnant people’s health if issues arise after the time period.

The state government’s veto override drew reactions from a variety of statewide and federal officials, with Cooper and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein sharing critical statements on social media. Republican lawmakers Tim Moore and Phil Berger, as well as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, all shared statements celebrating the achievement for anti-abortionists.

 

Being the latest state to enact new abortion restrictions, North Carolina caught much national attention Tuesday as well. Members of the Biden administration shared statements in the wake of the vote.

In Orange, Durham and Chatham counties, local elected officials shared their thoughts Tuesday night on the changes to abortion access. Across all levels, the response was predominantly critical.

House Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives, who represents Chatham County, as well as Orange County Sen. Graig Meyer, shared thoughts on Twitter. Reives indicated concern about further abortion restrictions being passed over time, while Meyer urged voters to gear up for the 2024 state election cycle. State Senator Natalie Murdock, who represents Chatham and Durham counties, also indicated her wish to break Republicans’ supermajority in the state legislature.

U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee, who represents Orange and Durham Counties in Congress, shared a thread on Twitter also criticizing the approach of limiting reproductive rights.

On a more local government level, elected officials from Carrboro, Hillsborough and Durham each shared their issues with the updated law. The town council of Carrboro demonstrated its own commitment to reproductive health care, passing a resolution supporting abortion access and denouncing Senate Bill 20.

“The Town Council urges Carrboro’s delegation in the General Assembly to prioritize the health care needs of all residents, to reject further attempts to restrict access to abortion, and to increase investment in access to health care, affordable birth control including emergency contraception, and comprehensive age-appropriate sex education,” the resolution says.

https://twitter.com/Jenn_E_Weaver/status/1658645726308564993?s=20

 

Photo via Travis Long/News & Observer.

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