Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill protecting women’s access to abortion as other states have put restrictions on the procedure.
“Like many Vermonters, I have consistently supported a woman’s right to choose,” Scott said in a statement. “This legislation affirms what is already allowable in Vermont — protecting reproductive rights and ensuring those decisions remain between a woman and her health care provider. I know this issue can be polarizing, so I appreciate the respectful tone and civility from all sides throughout this discussion.”
The bill, passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature this year, stands in stark contrast to other states that have sought to limit abortion rights in recent months.
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Ohio passed laws banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Missouri passed a ban on abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy. Missouri, Alabama, and Louisiana do not allow exemptions in instances of rape or incest.
