Democrats are continuing to react to the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. In Congress, left-leaning lawmakers have tried twice to codify abortion access into law, but to no avail. In blue states, they are already passing legislation to expand abortion access.
But in red states passing abortion restrictions, Democrats are still hoping to ensure women can terminate their pregnancies at will. Blue cities in states like Texas, Iowa, and others are trying to enact measures that would make it easier for women to abort their children. The question is, will it work?
In Austin, Texas, the city council is trying to fund abortion using taxpayer dollars even though the state’s trigger law outlaws the procedure unless the mother is at risk for serious injury. The council plans to hold a special meeting to consider its options for safeguarding abortion while also directing prosecutors not to enforce the state law.
Austin is not the only Texas city taking action to protect abortion. The Denton City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday promising to take away resources from “investigating and enforcing reproductive health care laws,” according to Dallas Morning News. From the report:
The vote was one of the most notable actions by a local government in the state since the nation’s high court made the momentous decision Friday. Several hundred abortion-rights advocates gathered outside Denton City Hall ahead of the vote, which came after more than two hours of public comment that was at times emotional and contentious.
Four council members voted in favor of the resolution, while three — including the mayor — voted against.
In Ohio, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and the City Council are looking at establishing a $100,000 “Reproductive Freedom Fund” to cover travel costs for city employees and residents to go to other states to get abortions. This is one part of an overall strategy to refrain from prosecuting abortion crimes, make abortion-related investigation the “lowest priority,” and add abortion coverage to its employee health insurance plans.
Cincinnati’s government is taking similar measures. Democratic Mayor Aftab Pureval said the city would also cover travel costs for women seeking abortions. It would pay for costs for traveling outside of a 150-mile radius to get the procedure.
“Our Supreme Court, Congress, and state Legislature have failed us. Local officials must do whatever we can to protect the women of our communities. It is not my job to make it easier for the state Legislature and governor to drag women back to the ’50s and strip their rights, it’s my job to make that harder,” said Pureval. “And with today’s announcements, we are fighting back.”
Kansas City’s legislature recently passed a resolution that would provide reimbursement for city employees’ travel costs when they go out of state to get abortions. It does not have a dollar limit currently and would only cover the travel costs – not the fee for obtaining the procedure.
The Nashville Metro Council passed a resolution that would also cover travel costs. The measure is not legally binding, but it calls on the Metro Employee Benefit Board to review its medical coverage.
Josh Mandelbaum, a member of the Des Moines City Council has offered a proposal that would “prohibit city resources from being used to investigate anyone who seeks, gives, or facilitates” abortions according to Axios. If passed, the proposal would also reimburse employees for travel costs.
While some of these measures might still make it easier for women to obtain abortions, state laws restricting the procedure are still going to save far more lives. Moreover, even if cities attempt to prevent law enforcement from investigating cases, abortion providers will still likely not risk providing abortions in violation of state law.
These are desperate measures taken in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. But it is also probable that these won’t pass legal muster with the states’ Supreme Courts. Nevertheless, the pro-abortion crowd is not giving up, and these cities will be a part of the ongoing battle to preserve the lives of babies.
