Center for Reproductive Rights Statement on West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s veto of a measure which bans the most commonly used method of ending a pregnancy in the second trimester

“For the third time in two years, Governor Tomblin has rightly vetoed a measure which robs women of safe options when they’ve made the decision to end a pregnancy,” said Kelly Baden, Director of State Advocacy.  “We commend him for standing up to these political attempts to come between West Virginia women and vital health care services.”

Background

Last week, the Center for Reproductive Rights and West Virginia Free asked the Governor to veto the measure, which could force some women to either undergo additional, invasive, and medically unnecessary procedures, or to lose access to second trimester abortion services entirely.  Courts in Kansas and Oklahoma have already blocked similar measures.

In under two years, Tomblin has already twice vetoed a cruel and unconstitutional abortion ban at 20 weeks of pregnancy–both times citing concerns over the constitutionality of the law and the negative impact on women’s health and safety.