MCCL Sneaks in Anti-Choice Constitutional Amendment on Final Day of Session
Saint Paul, Minnesota—-Today a proposed amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution was filed by anti-choice lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives (SF 1562 / HF 1637). The broad amendment would link the Minnesota Constitution to the federal Constitution in regards to abortion. If passed, the amendment would go to statewide ballot in November 2004. The governor plays no role in Constitutional Amendments. “This one sentence amendment seems harmless on first reading, but it has wide repercussions for women and men in Minnesota,” said Tim Stanley, executive director of Minnesota NARAL. “Make no mistake, this amendment is all about the politics of the statewide 2004 election and helping President Bush’s reelection campaign.” The amendment seeks to erase the greater right to privacy enjoyed in Minnesota and would ban Medicaid funding of abortion, creating a more difficult hardship to poor and working women faced with an unintended pregnancies. This amendment would also pave the way to criminalize abortion in Minnesota if Roe v. Wade is overturned or eroded by the Supreme Court. “Too bad the MCCL [Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life] is taking advantage of the political landscape to push their extreme agenda even further. Apparently the 24-Hour Waiting Period they spent 10 years trying to pass is just the beginning to their overall plan to restrict abortion rights in Minnesota,” said Stanley. Minnesota NARAL is an affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America and is the largest grassroots pro-choice group in Minnesota. Contact: Tim Stanley - 651-602-7655 ###
| 
