For Immediate Release: July 16, 2018

Contact: Gary Ginsburg | ginsburg@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415

Senate Democrats & Governor Cuomo Call For Roe v. Wade Codification

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Conference and Governor Cuomo joined to call on the Senate
Republican Majority to agree to codify Roe v. Wade in New York State law. The Senate Republicans have
repeatedly blocked efforts to update New York’s nearly 50-year old abortion laws to ensure that women in New
York maintain their rights under Roe v. Wade despite any potential action by the Supreme Court. The
nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, creating a conservative majority on the Court, has
heightened the risk of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

“New Yorkers overwhelmingly support women’s reproductive health care options and it is troubling that the
Senate Republican Majority is so hostile to these rights that they won’t even agree to codify Roe v. Wade.”
Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “With the extremism coming out of Washington,
New Yorkers, especially women, deserve to have their reproductive health rights protected. It is time to end the
misinformation and the rhetoric – they either support Roe v. Wade or they don’t.”

Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Jeff Klein said, “Women’s rights are under attack and the State Senate
Republicans are sitting idly by. With a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and women’s rights under
threat, New York needs to step up and lead. I am proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues and Governor
Cuomo in demanding the Senate Republicans drop their opposition to codifying the Roe v. Wade decision into
New York State law. We need to step up and ensure women’s health care protections aren’t stripped away.”

Chair of the Senate Democratic Conference Senator Michael Gianaris said, “Codifying Roe v. Wade will
ensure women can plan their families and make the medical decisions right for them. I am proud to support this
proposal to provide women with the freedom to make their own health choices.”

Reproductive Health Act Sponsor, Senator Liz Krueger, said, “The time for excuses and deflection is over.
The nomination of yet another extremist to the Supreme Court means it’s not a question of if but when Roe v.
Wade will be overturned. The vast majority of New Yorkers agree that the complex and deeply personal
decision of whether to have an abortion should be made by a woman and her doctor – not the government. Now
more than ever we need New York laws to protect New York families. The Senate Republicans must return to
Albany and give the Reproductive Health Act a vote.”

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. said, “In NY, we have respected women’s health choices even before those
provided by the Roe v Wade decision. That’s why, almost 50 years later, we cannot allow rights to be taken
away from New York’s women.”

Senator Marisol Alcantara said, “Now more than ever we must ring the alarm to protect women’s
reproductive rights. Trump’s Supreme Court Justice appointee is set to try to overturn Roe v. Wade, which will
be devastating to women. I call on the Senate Republican Conference to agree to return to Albany and bring
forward a vote on the Reproductive Health Act. New York State has to demonstrate leadership and show that it
protects women regardless of the actions of our Federal Government. Let’s get back up to Albany and do the
people’s work.”
Senator Tony Avella said, “We have the ability to make sure that women’s health rights under Roe v. Wade
are protected in New York State and we must act. Codifying Roe v. Wade will make sure that we do not allow
Trump and his allies to turn back women’s rights. I strongly urge the Senate Republicans to do the right thing
and join us in this effort.”

Senator Jamaal Bailey said, “In light of the events that unfolded in the previous days regarding the nomination
of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, I believe it is essential for legislation to be passed reflecting the
decision of Roe v. Wade. I call on my Republican colleagues in the Senate to ensure that the proper laws are
codified into the New York State Legislature, to guarantee the rights and protections of women.”

Senator Brian A. Benjamin said, “45 years ago, Roe v. Wade made access to reproductive healthcare the law
of the land. That access is threatened by Trump’s anti-woman, anti-labor, and anti-healthcare nominee to the
Supreme Court. If the Court reverses Roe v. Wade, the question of abortion legality will be returned to the
states, many of which, including New York, lack protections,” said State Senator Brian A. Benjamin. “To
defend the bodily autonomy of women in New York, the state legislature must codify Roe v. Wade and be a
leader on this critical issue. Every woman deserves the right to make her own decisions about her body in
consultation with her doctor.”

Senator Neil Breslin said, “It is far past time for New York State to ensure the rights provided by Roe v. Wade
are cemented in New York State law. Women across New York State deserve to have their reproductive health
rights protected no matter what happens in Washington. It is time for the Senate Republican’s to stop blocking
these efforts.”

Senator David Carlucci said, “The Senate must take immediate action to uphold Roe v. Wade, ensuring every
woman can make their own medical choices during pregnancy. Women's rights are under attack by President
Trump and reproductive health rights need to be protected in New York.”

Senator John Brooks said, “The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support women’s rights and health
care protections, and I urge the Senate Republicans to stop blocking the Reproductive Health Act and the
Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act. New York women deserve real leadership and support from their
state government, and that will not happen as long as the Senate Republicans block progress and allow rights to
be stripped away. It is time to put the people first and end the party politics that have been the bane of Albany
this past year.”

Senator Leroy Comrie said, “With the resignation of Justice Kennedy, the need for swift action at the state
level to protect women’s reproductive rights has never been more urgent. New Yorkers need to know that their
rights are guarded against the reckless actions of our president. My colleagues in the Democratic Conference
and I stand ready to codify Roe and ensure that New Yorkers will continue to have access to safe, legal abortion
services.”

Senator Martin Malavé Dilan said, “We are obligated in this state to protect women from any attack upon
their Constitutional rights. If they cannot be free to have control over their own bodies and make their own
decisions in accordance with the law and their wishes in Washington’s eyes, then they will be in New York.
This is the sad reality of our nation at the moment. We are seeing the separation of church and state and the
right to self-determination being undermined, and it is all to appease an extremist minority. New York State
must again stand up, as it has for centuries, and say, ‘not here.’”

Senator Jesse Hamilton said, “Legislators and Supreme Court justices should not second-guess women’s
decisions on their reproductive health. Instead, we should support women’s individual freedom to make these
judgements for themselves. Patients need a doctor’s consultation, not a consult with the legislature or a consult
with the courts. We must ensure women are fully empowered to make their own decisions for their health and
well-being. That is why we must act to codify Roe v. Wade in New York State law and to protect the rights of
New Yorkers.”

Senator Brad Hoylman said, “Trump’s anti-choice nominee Brett Kavanagh for the Supreme Court is a call to
action for the State Senate to return to Albany and pass Senator Krueger’s Reproductive Health Act. The
dignity, health, and well-being of New York women hangs in the balance.”

Senator Todd Kaminsky said, “Women across Long Island rely on the constitutional freedoms provided by
Roe v. Wade. We cannot roll back decades of progress and subject women’s health to the shadows, as had been
the case. We as a state need to stand up for a woman’s right to choose and the time to do so is now.”

Senator Brian Kavanagh said, “Roe v. Wade is the law of the land and women have an undeniable right to
make medical decisions about their bodies. Senate Republicans are wrong to insist that our laws continue to
include unconstitutional restrictions on that right in the hope that their party will succeed in appointing justices
that will overturn nearly half a century of Supreme Court precedent. I voted for the Reproductive Health Act as
an Assemblymember, and today I join Democratic Leader Stewart-Cousins and our colleagues in demanding —
as we have previously this session — that Republicans bring this critical legislation up for a vote this year.”

Senator Tim Kennedy said, “It is important that New York State guarantees the protections under Roe v.
Wade no matter what happens in Washington. Women in this state deserve to have their reproductive health
rights guaranteed. I am proud to stand up for women’s rights and health care protections, and I urge the Senate
Republicans to codify the Roe v. Wade decision into State law immediately.”

Senator Shelley Mayer said, “Now is the time for the Senate to return to Albany and pass the Reproductive
Health Act which codifies Roe v. Wade into New York State’s Public Health Law. In 1970, New York was the
first state in the country to pass a law to protect a woman’s right to choose. That bill was passed with a
Republican Governor and a Republican controlled State Senate and Assembly. Today, women’s access to
reproductive health is too precarious for us not to take action. The women of New York expect more. They
expect us to protect their rights when they are under assault by the federal government. We must come together
to protect women’s authority over personal healthcare decisions in New York State.”

Senator Velmanette Montgomery said, “Access to healthcare, especially women's reproductive health is being
undermined by our own federal government every day. We need to protect women's right to choose and pass the
Reproductive Health Act in New York State. We have to move on this issue now.”

Senator Kevin Parker said, "Women are under attack by Donald Trump, and our state government needs to
step up and protect their rights. I am proud to stand with Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins,
my Democratic colleagues, and Governor Cuomo in urging the Senate Republicans to codify Roe v. Wade
decision into State law. That is the only way we can ensure that women in New York State are not harmed by
the looming anti-choice Supreme Court."

Senator Jose Peralta said, “The nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is a clear attempt
to repeal Roe v. Wade and restrict women’s rights. Here in New York, we must step up to the plate and codify
the landmark ruling to protect a woman’s right to choose and to have access to affordable and safe
contraception. It is vital that we pass the proposed bill to ensure we do just that. I urge the Republicans to have a
vote on the bill to keep protecting a woman’s right to choose.”

Senator Roxanne Persaud said, “Women in New York are particularly vulnerable to a Supreme Court packed
with anti-abortion ideologues. The Senate majority consistently block my Democratic colleagues’ efforts to
bring our laws in line with federal rules like Roe v. Wade and modern medical practices, despite New Yorkers’
overwhelming support for a full range of reproductive health care, including abortion. In 2018, the Senate again
failed to pass basic birth control protection through the Boss Bill because Republicans refused to allow a vote.
New Yorkers deserve basic health care.”

Senator Gustavo Rivera said, “With the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, it is
critical that New York State codifies Roe v. Wade and finally protects a woman’s right to make her own health
care choices. I call on my Republican colleagues to stop playing political games with a woman’s right to choose
and join us in passing the Reproductive Health Act once for all. It is simply unacceptable that in a state that
calls itself progressive, women continue to struggle when it comes to making personal decisions about their
reproductive health.”

Senator James Sanders Jr. said, “I stand with my Conference Members in urging our Republican colleagues
to codify Roe vs. Wade and pass the Reproductive Health Act to protect women’s reproductive rights. We must
have safeguards in place against a conservative Supreme Court if it were to overturn Roe v. Wade, especially
since President Trump recently nominated conservative Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.”

Senator Diane Savino said, “Following this week's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme
Court it is clear that we need to pass the Reproductive Health Act in New York now more than ever. We cannot
allow the federal government to put women's reproductive health rights at risk. Voters need to know where their
senators stand on this issue. It's time to return to Albany and get this done.”

Senator José M. Serrano said, “As the federal government threatens to attack Roe v. Wade, it is now more
important than ever that we take action to protect a woman’s right to reproductive health options. I call for my
colleagues across the aisle to return to Albany so that we can ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the
health services and support they need.”

Senator Luis Sepulveda said, “With a conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court in danger of overturning Roe
vs. Wade, this codification to also make it state law would not only continue to protect and guarantee the rights
of women in our state no matter what the high court decides, but would also create a legal quandary for
conservative justices who lean to states’ rights over federal rights. Let’s get this done.”

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “When we voted for the Women’s Equality Agenda we only approved nine
of the ten proposals. The Senate Republicans deliberately omitted the codification of Roe v Wade and at the
time we warned that a Republican president could appoint Justices who support reversing it. That prediction has
come true. Now I fear a return to the old days of back room, botched, illegal abortions. Women’s health and
lives are at stake. All we want is to allow women to determine what happens to their own bodies.”

Senator David J. Valesky said, “I’ve always supported a woman’s right to choose, and now it’s more
important than ever to continue to protect that right and to codify Roe v. Wade.”

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New York State Senate | DemocraticConferenceNews@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415