RALEIGH, N.C. - Earlier today, Governor Cooper vetoed HB 453, legislation that would have banned abortions based on the reasons informing a person’s decision to terminate pregnancy. The ACLU of NC sent a letter to Governor Cooper, urging him to veto this legislation that would have curtailed abortion access. HB 453 now returns to the House for a veto override vote, and will continue to the Senate if the House overrides.
Liz Barber, policy analyst for the ACLU of North Carolina, issued the following statement:
“Vetoing HB 453 is a step toward protecting North Carolinians’ right to decide if and when they want to become parents. We have a lot of work to do to end discrimination against marginalized groups, but unconstitutionally limiting access to medical care based on the government’s moral judgment does not contribute in any way to those efforts.
Each and every North Carolinian should have the freedom to practice discretion in their reproductive choices. Today, Governor Cooper worked to protect that freedom.”