The abortion laws include exceptions for cases of rape and incest.
In a significant development, the North Carolina legislature passed a bill on Tuesday granting women the right to undergo abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, the White House strongly criticized this legislation, deeming it a “dangerous bill that is disconnected from reality.”
Expressing her concerns, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement in which she asserted, “Today, Republican state legislators in North Carolina have overridden Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a perilous bill that disregards the beliefs of the majority of North Carolinians and further impedes women’s access to essential reproductive healthcare.” Experts have highlighted the catastrophic consequences that similar abortion bans have already inflicted on the well-being and lives of individuals residing under such stringent laws.
Over the weekend, Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat from North Carolina, rejected a swiftly passed bill by the state legislature that mandated a mandatory doctor’s visit at least 72 hours prior to obtaining an abortion.
However, on Tuesday night, Republican state legislators successfully circumvented the governor’s veto with enough votes in favor. Representative Tricia Cotham, who recently switched to the Republican Party, played a pivotal role in the GOP’s pursuit of the three-fifths supermajority required to override the veto.
Adding an unexpected twist to the situation, President Biden made an impromptu appearance at a gala organized by Emily’s List, a pro-choice organization, where he honored Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House Minority Leader from California.