The California Assembly voted 58-16 to pass Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 Monday, which would amend California’s constitution to protect the right to abortion and contraception. Introduced by California Senator Tony Atkins of San Diego, the bill would explicitly outline right-to-privacy protections for abortion and contraception as a private health care matter between a patient and their medical provider.
In a statement posted on her website, Sen. Atkins applauded the vote. “Friday was a dark day. Today, we provide a ray of hope by enabling voters to enshrine reproductive rights in our constitution, reflecting California’s values and protecting all who need abortion, contraceptives, and other reproductive care in our state,” she said.
The amendment will now go up for a vote on the November ballot after it passed both the Assembly and Senate. It’s the latest action California has taken to strengthen abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade. That same day, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1666 into law to increase legal protections for California abortion providers that care for out-of-state patients.
Valley Assemblymember Rudy Salas voted in favor of the amendment and issued a statement Friday on the court’s ruling. “I have always believed that the government should not interfere in a woman's reproductive healthcare choices. That decision is a private matter to be decided by a woman, her doctor and within her faith. I am a co-sponsor of SCA 10, which will protect a woman's personal liberty and healthcare freedom."
Carol Moon Goldberg, president of the League of Women Voters of California said the amendment safeguards people's freedom to make decisions about their own health. She said she had concerns that the court’s decision would affect some of California’s most vulnerable populations. “There will be an impact on people everywhere, of course, at all economic levels. But a particularly large impact on people perhaps in rural communities that don't have a lot of healthcare that would help support contraception. It will fall on low income people who maybe don't have insurance or the ability to pay,” Goldberg said.
Valley Congressman Jim Costa called the Supreme Court’s decision a setback for women in America, which could set a precedent to target other rights. “I think the court decision has opened the door to make determinations as to whether or not people can maintain marriage equality and the ability to seek medication for morning after birth control. So I think this should be a very great concern to Americans who believe a woman ought to have the right to make her own determinations with their own body,” he said.
The Public Policy Institute of California conducted a statewide survey last July that showed 77 percent of Californians are against the repeal of Roe v. Wade. The PPIC poll showed a majority of Californians have consistently opposed overturning the law since it first conducted a poll on this question in 2005.
Fred Vanderhoof, chairman of the Fresno County Republican Party, said he was in full agreement with the Supreme Court’s decision. Although California remains open to abortion protections, Vanderhoof predicted the pro-life movement would strengthen in the state and other states that remain open to abortion rights. “Unfortunately for us in California, the battle continues and will get even more serious,” he said.
But what will this mean for upcoming elections? Fresno State political science professor Tom Holyoke weighed in about whether abortion will be an issue that will motivate voters in a way they were not motivated before the midterm election. “I'm not sure anyone has a clear sense as to what that answer is,” he said. “I think even this issue takes a backseat to the economy. Usually the economy trumps all other issues when the economy is not doing well and that includes abortion. So, I think this could motivate some people to vote, but not sure it's a true game changer for the midterm election.”
But Holyoke pointed to the Supreme Court’s makeup, with three of the most recent judges appointed by President Donald Trump. “Who's on the court matters. Who gets appointed to the court matters a great deal and in a way, this is probably Donald Trump's most lasting impact on American politics,” Holyoke said.
