Around New England

Two Massachusetts State Senators Provide Comment On Abortion Bill Passage

December 30, 2020

On Tuesday, 32 Democrats voted to override Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker’s ROE Act (H.5179) veto to make it the law of the land.

Following the vote, New Boston Post reached out to all 32 senators who voted in favor of the proposal. Two responded.

On Wednesday morning, a staffer for state Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) emailed New Boston Post a statement from the Moore on the bill’s passage.

Here is what it said:

“I take great pride in the fact that we have created a system that provides accessible and equitable comprehensive healthcare for women in the Commonwealth. I am also very pleased that despite the initial vetoing of this bill, my colleagues in both the House and Senate were able to show great determination and have this bill become law. I believe that the ROE Act is yet another example of Massachusetts leading the way and setting an example for other states to follow.”  

And on Wednesday afternoon, a staffer for state Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) sent over a comment from the Senator.

Here is what it said:

“With the House of Representatives taking its vote yesterday to override Governor Baker’s veto of the ROE Act, and the Senate voting just now 32-8 to do the same, key components of the comprehensive reproductive rights bill filed by Senator Harriette Chandler and Representatives Pat Haddad and Jay Livingstone are now law!  Over the past two years, I’m proud to have worked closely with House Chair Rep. Claire Cronin on reviewing the legislation, meeting with key stakeholders, advocates, and the general public.
 
“With the passing of the ROE Act, Massachusetts has codified reproductive rights, protected vulnerable populations, empowered women, created an environmental for healthier families, combated racial injustice, and made it loud and clear, that Massachusetts values are contrary to the values of the current President, and the deeply conservative Supreme Court that Donald Trump and his right-wing colleagues and allies have helped create.”