In the News
WHAT THEY’RE SEEING: Women Leaders Call Out Rick Scott for his Support of Florida’ Near-Total Abortion Ban
Tampa, FL — This week, women leaders from Tampa and St. Petersburg slammed Rick Scott for his support of Florida’s near-total abortion ban.
At a press conference in Tampa, State Representatives Susan Valdés, Dianne Hart, and Lindsay Cross, Ruth’s List CEO Christina Diamond, Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, and Tampa OB-GYN Dr. Bruce Shephard called out Scott for supporting the dangerous ban, which takes effect on May 1st and will ban abortion before most women know they’re pregnant, with virtually no exceptions.
The speakers responded to Scott again backing the ban in an interview this week, during which he said “If I was the sitting governor, and the six-week abortion ban came in front of me, I would sign it. I’ve always said I would sign it.”
See below for a roundup of coverage from the event:
WFLA News: ‘A nightmare’: Tampa Bay lawmakers, advocates respond to Sen. Scott’s stance on abortion rights
– Democrats slammed the former Florida Governor’s record on abortion and responded to a recent interview where he indicated that, if he were still in the position, he would have approved the six-week abortion ban that will soon take effect.
– “We’re standing up here because we know, and make no mistake, that the reproductive rights of millions of women in Florida are on the line this November, not just on Amendment 4, but up and down the ballot,” Rep. Lindsay Cross said. “From Rick Scott, to Republicans in Tallahassee, none of them support your right to choose.”
– Shepard practiced in Tampa for 40 years, delivering 7,500 babies in the region. […] Dr. Shephard called the six-week abortion ban “archaic,” “dangerous,” and “a nightmare.” It’s the worst piece of legislation I’ve ever seen come out of Tallahassee, and Sen. Rick Scott supports it,” Dr. Shephard said. “He previously said he would sign it into law, and yesterday, he doubled down again.”
Bay News 9: Democrats Rally Against Rick Scott After His Show of Support for Abortion Ban
– The six-week abortion ban goes into effect in thirteen days and voters in the state will decide in November on whether to change that. In the meantime, the abortion debate is front and center in the US Senate race in Florida.
– Today in St. Petersburg, this group – including state lawmakers – said that Senator Rick Scott’s stance on the issue is out of touch with voters.
– Scott recently told Spectrum News that he would’ve signed the six-week ban if it came before him when he was Governor.
– Democrats are calling on voters to protect abortion rights.
– The reproductive rights of millions of women in Florida are on the line this November, not just on Amendment 4, but up and down the ballot. From Rick Scott, to Republicans in Tallahassee, none of them support your right to choose,” [said State Rep. Lindsay Cross].
Florida Phoenix: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell & other FL Dems again take on Rick Scott’s position on abortion rights
– With a six-week abortion ban poised to go into effect in Florida next month, Democrats on Thursday once again went after Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s position on the law, which has been contradictory in just the past few days.
– “His words and actions show that his values do not include personal freedom and that he lacks the compassion for those who may opt for an abortion,” said Valdes. “There are so many reasons why someone may make this deeply personal decision to have one. Maybe their birth control failed, or they were the victims of rape or incest, or carrying a pregnancy would endanger their lives.”
– “The reproductive rights of millions of women in Florida are on the line this November. Not just with Amendment 4, but up and down the ballot. From Rick Scott to Republicans in Tallahassee, none of them support your right to choose,” added Cross, who like every member of the state House of Representatives is also on the ballot this fall.
– Also appearing in Tampa was Dr. Bruce Shepherd, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist who practiced in Tampa for 40 years and says he delivered more than 7,500 babies during his medical career. “The legislation is archaic, punitive, and dangerous,” he said of the six-week law. “At six weeks many women do not know they are pregnant.” He went on to say that “it will profoundly compromise the management of miscarriages by making doctors reluctant to get involved until the worst possible complications arise.”