“Committee members opposed to HB 5 waved their time for questions or debate in hopes that committee chair Colleen Burton would allow citizens who had traveled from across the state a mere minute to make the case that politicians shouldn’t have the right to strip them of their bodily autonomy. Chair Burton refused, arguing there wasn’t time and then, after repeatedly cutting speakers off in the middle of intensely personal testimony, called for a vote on the bill and adjourned the meeting with half an hour still to go.
“This fundamental disrespect for the people our legislators were elected to serve is just a preview of what we can expect if this bill becomes the law of the land in Florida.
“Banning abortion after 15 weeks denies a person the fundamental right to control their own body and health care decisions.
“Floridians have demonstrated overwhelming opposition to this legislation because they know everyone should be able to make decisions about their bodies and futures.
“People in many different circumstances need access to abortion, and no one should make those personal decisions for someone else — especially not politicians.
“HB 5 threatens the health and very survival of pregnant people, ignoring their individual needs and circumstances. Doctors vigorously oppose abortion bans because they prevent health care providers from giving their patients the best health care possible for their individual situation.”
“Floridians deserve better from their elected leaders. As was on full display today, this legislation is nothing more than a blatant attempt to advance a political agenda over sound science and medicine.”
