ICYMI: PA LEADERS JOIN TOGETHER TO CALL OUT OZ AND MASTRIANO FOR EXTREME ANTI-CHOICE AGENDA

In Harrisburg, PA leaders slam Republican candidate for Senate, Mehmet Oz, and Republican candidate for Governor, Doug Mastriano, for their unpopular and dangerous plans to outlaw abortion without exceptions for rape and incest.

PENNSYLVANIA — In light of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, State Senators Katie Muth, Maria Collett, and Lindsey Williams, State Representatives Joanna McClinton, Emily Kinkead, and Patty Kim, and Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Sharif Street joined together yesterday for a PA Democratic Party press conference to highlight that reproductive rights are on the ballot in 2022 — and to call out Mehmet Oz, Doug Mastriano and Pennsylvania Republicans across the commonwealth for their plans to ban abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. Last week’s SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is the direct result of Republicans’ unrelenting, decades-long, radical war on health care and the right to choose — a point speakers reiterated as they spoke directly to Pennsylvanians. Reproductive rights are on the ballot.

Republican nominee for Senate, Mehmet Oz, said he would support a ban on abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. He’ll eagerly be a vote for Mitch McConnell and the GOP’s abortion ban agenda that Mitch McConnell promised they would pursue if they regain the majority,

Republican nominee for Governor,Doug Mastriano, has called banning abortion his “number one issue,” and wants to criminalize doctors for performing abortions. Mastriano has also said that Roe is “so much” worse than the Holocaust, and called “my body, my choice,” “ridiculous nonsense.”

In case you missed it, check out some of the coverage of this PA Dems press conference below:

City & State Pennsylvania: ‘Ready to rumble’: Democrats urge voters to keep Roe in mind ahead of fall midterms 

As Friday’s Supreme Court decision over abortion rights continues to reverberate across the nation, Democratic legislators in Pennsylvania called on voters across the state to organize and keep the issue of abortion top of mind ahead of November’s midterm elections.

In a series of rallies held at the state Capitol Monday, Democrats from both chambers of the General Assembly pledged to do everything in their power to protect abortion access in the commonwealth, though they acknowledged that being in the legislative minority may hinder that goal.

Democrats are using the Dobbs decision as a rallying cry, pushing voters to elect Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Attorney General Josh Shapiro in statewide races this fall. During a press conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Democratic lawmakers said the decision from the Supreme Court underscores the need for voters to elect Democrats in November. 

“It is clearer now more than ever that in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, women’s independence and women’s ability to make their own health care decisions is absolutely on the ballot,” said House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton. “We’re not here crying our tears. We’re here with our sleeves rolled up and ready to rumble.”

PennLive: Pa. Democrats hold 2 rallies as part of ‘call to action’ to protect abortion rights 

The Democrats, at a gathering outside the Capitol in the afternoon, vowed to fight to elect their candidates in November who stand in favor of keeping abortions safe, legal and accessible, namely gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro and U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman.

Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, who is chairman of the Democratic State Committee, said both men would fight to protect a woman’s abortion rights.

McClinton added, “It is clearer now than ever that in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, women’s independence and women’s ability to make their own health care decisions is absolutely on the ballot.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Doug Mastriano has offered legislation that would ban abortions after six weeks and said he believes life begins at conception. Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz shares that view of when life begins and vowed in a May 17 Twitter post to “always fight to protect life ­– because all life is uniquely precious.”

WGAL: Pennsylvania Democratic lawmakers rally for abortion rights 

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court is allowing states to decide the future of abortion, Democratic state lawmakers are pushing to keep abortion legal in Pennsylvania.

Voters could soon have a say indirectly and directly on the future of abortion in the commonwealth.

The governor’s race could also play a big role in abortion access in Pennsylvania.

Republican nominee Doug Mastriano is opposed to abortion and could sign legislation passed by the Republican-controlled general assembly that’s been vetoed by current governor and Democrat Tom Wolf.

“We as a body of lawmakers have no business or the expertise to decide whether a woman should have a medical procedure or not,” Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) said.

Mastriano didn’t answer a question from a reporter about abortion following a press event Monday.

His opponent, Democratic Josh Shapiro, has said he’d veto abortion restrictions.

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