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Nevada’s Republican governor enshrines abortion protections Nevada’s Republican governor enshrines abortion protections
(about 2 hours later)
Joe Lombardo had said on campaign trail that he would respect will of voters who codified abortion rights in 1990 referendumJoe Lombardo had said on campaign trail that he would respect will of voters who codified abortion rights in 1990 referendum
The governor of Nevada, Joe Lombardo, on Tuesday became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, adding the western state to the list of those passing laws to solidify their status as safe havens for abortion patients.The governor of Nevada, Joe Lombardo, on Tuesday became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, adding the western state to the list of those passing laws to solidify their status as safe havens for abortion patients.
The legislation codifies an executive order from Steve Sisolak – the Democrat Lombardo beat for the governor’s mansion last year – that bars state agencies from assisting out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. It also ensures medical boards and commissions that oversee medical licenses do not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions.The legislation codifies an executive order from Steve Sisolak – the Democrat Lombardo beat for the governor’s mansion last year – that bars state agencies from assisting out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. It also ensures medical boards and commissions that oversee medical licenses do not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions.
Lombardo, who describes himself as “pro-life” and was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee, said on the campaign trail he would respect the will of voters who codified abortion rights up to 24 weeks in a 1990 referendum. He was the only Republican to defeat a state-level Democratic incumbent in the last election.Lombardo, who describes himself as “pro-life” and was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee, said on the campaign trail he would respect the will of voters who codified abortion rights up to 24 weeks in a 1990 referendum. He was the only Republican to defeat a state-level Democratic incumbent in the last election.
“I want to thank [Lombardo] for following through on his commitment to ensuring that Nevada won’t participate in prosecutions of women who come here to exercise their reproductive rights,” said Nicole Cannizzaro, the Democratic state senate majority leader who sponsored the legislation.“I want to thank [Lombardo] for following through on his commitment to ensuring that Nevada won’t participate in prosecutions of women who come here to exercise their reproductive rights,” said Nicole Cannizzaro, the Democratic state senate majority leader who sponsored the legislation.
Lombardo is one of the only Republican governors – following Phil Scott of Vermont and the former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker – to sign laws enshrining protections for abortion.Lombardo is one of the only Republican governors – following Phil Scott of Vermont and the former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker – to sign laws enshrining protections for abortion.
The provisions were a major flashpoint in one of the closest governor’s races of 2022 and became the latest reflection point for how Republicans navigate abortion policy debates in blue (Democratic) and purple (swing) states.The provisions were a major flashpoint in one of the closest governor’s races of 2022 and became the latest reflection point for how Republicans navigate abortion policy debates in blue (Democratic) and purple (swing) states.
Lombardo originally said he would repeal the executive order, but said months later he would uphold it, a reversal Sisolak’s campaign emphasized. In February, Lombardo signaled that he would sign the bill, which does not add any additional protections to Sisolak’s executive order.Lombardo originally said he would repeal the executive order, but said months later he would uphold it, a reversal Sisolak’s campaign emphasized. In February, Lombardo signaled that he would sign the bill, which does not add any additional protections to Sisolak’s executive order.
“Governor Lombardo made a campaign commitment to ensure that Nevada would not participate in prosecuting those seeking legal medical care in the state,” said a spokesperson, Elizabeth Ray. “Today, Governor Lombardo kept that commitment.”“Governor Lombardo made a campaign commitment to ensure that Nevada would not participate in prosecuting those seeking legal medical care in the state,” said a spokesperson, Elizabeth Ray. “Today, Governor Lombardo kept that commitment.”
Cannizzaro said last month she was not aware of particular cases of outside states prosecuting women who have come to Nevada for abortions, but said that could happen with more restrictive laws in other states. She referenced restrictions approved in neighboring Idaho and Utah.Cannizzaro said last month she was not aware of particular cases of outside states prosecuting women who have come to Nevada for abortions, but said that could happen with more restrictive laws in other states. She referenced restrictions approved in neighboring Idaho and Utah.
Democratic-controlled states have approved similar laws to the one in Nevada.Democratic-controlled states have approved similar laws to the one in Nevada.
The Nevada state senate advanced the legislation last month, with two Republican women joining Democrats in support of the bill.The Nevada state senate advanced the legislation last month, with two Republican women joining Democrats in support of the bill.
Following the vote, the Nevada Republican party said it was “horrified”, exposing an rift about how to handle abortion legislation since the fall last year of Roe v Wade, the 1973 supreme court ruling which guaranteed the right. The Nevada GOP did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the signing on Tuesday. Following the vote, the Nevada Republican party said it was “horrified”, exposing a rift about how to handle abortion legislation since the fall last year of Roe v Wade, the 1973 supreme court ruling which guaranteed the right. The Nevada GOP did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the signing on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the Democratic-controlled Nevada legislature advanced a resolution that would enshrine existing abortion rights in the state constitution. After passing the 2023 session, it must also pass in 2025 before appearing in front of voters in 2026. That process does not include the governor’s approval.Earlier this month, the Democratic-controlled Nevada legislature advanced a resolution that would enshrine existing abortion rights in the state constitution. After passing the 2023 session, it must also pass in 2025 before appearing in front of voters in 2026. That process does not include the governor’s approval.