HARRISBURG, Pa. - A proposal to have voters decide whether to add a provision the Pennsylvania Constitution to say it does not guarantee any rights relating to abortion or public funding of abortions passed the Legislature on Friday and could be on the ballot next spring.The language was among five proposed Republican-written amendments that were approved by both the House and Senate after a pair of charged debates among state lawmakers who have promised their voters to fight for or against abortion rights."Do we want the people of the commonwealth to fund abortions — why are we so afraid to put this question before the people?" said Rep.
Clint Owlett, of Tioga County, among many Republicans to focus on letting the voters decide.Democrats said the measure was a step that will put GOP lawmakers closer to achieving what is, for most of them, a longstanding goal: to prohibit or severely limit access to abortion."It's a pathway," said Rep.
Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, "and to say otherwise is a lie."The proposal still needs another round of passage in both chambers in the legislative session that starts in January, and supporters hope to get it before voters for a referendum during the 2023 spring primary.The votes fell mostly along partisan lines, 28-22 in the Senate and 107-92 in the House.The bill also contains proposed constitutional amendments to require voter ID, have gubernatorial candidates choose their own running mates, empower lawmakers to cancel regulations without facing a governor’s veto and establish election audits.
Lawmakers voted them as a package, but voters would consider them individually.The abortion provision drew the most attention by far during the two marathon debates Friday, conducted as lawmakers.