Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Why Gov. Newsom Should Veto SB 24, the Chemical Abortion Bill
gvw_calmatters
By CalMatters
Published 6 years ago on
September 19, 2019

Share

Senate Bill 24 would require California’s public universities to provide the chemical method of abortion to college women. It would be a needless expansion of the practice of abortion, and Gov. Gavin Newsom should veto it.
This measure would not be a wise investment. The Department of Finance points this out in its statement of opposition, citing the diversion of finances from other more worthwhile investments and the lack of expertise in the University of California and California State University systems to administer the program.



Jaime Soto and Jessica Manzo
Special to CALmatters

Opinion 
These cautions should be heeded, but there are other reasons to veto this bill.
The legislation would make university administrations further complicit in the violent exploitation of university women that has been brought to light by the “Me-Too” movement.
The measure, proposed to provide a response to unplanned pregnancy, offers no reporting mechanisms in cases where women have been raped on campus.
The silence of SB 24, authored by Sen. Connie Leyva, Chino Democrat, on this point speaks loudly about the institutional indifference for women and children. Women deserve safer, more respectful, environments on campuses, not more ways for the universities to hide their victimization.
Senate Bill 24 is not about health care. It is an example of partisan posturing, consolidating the state’s aversion to any restrictions of abortion.
Promoters of this ideological measure have argued for its necessity without any definitive data. California chooses not to keep statistics on the use of abortion, and this bill would extend that policy.
Other vital public health statistics, including euthanasia, are more thoroughly recorded and documented. This lack of information means that the Legislature is acting in the dark, led by the hand by those fixated on hiding the consequences of abortion on women.

‘Fetuses Gestating in Their Mothers’ Wombs Are Clearly Innocent’

Six months ago, Gov. Newsom took a courageous stand by instituting a moratorium on carrying-out the state’s death penalty, citing statistics showing that the state-sanctioned practice was “unevenly and unfairly applied to people of color, people with mental disabilities, and people who cannot afford costly legal representation.”
Many of us support the governor’s action because of the moral imperative we all share to respect the dignity of human life.
The use of the death penalty is no longer necessary and is an obstacle to the social promotion of the dignity of the human person.
Those of us who hold to this moral principle assert that there is even greater moral clarity regarding the practice of state-sanctioned abortions inflicted on many of the same populations cited by the governor, as well as on other vulnerable groups.
In the case of abortions, fetuses gestating in their mothers’ wombs are clearly innocent. They are unnecessarily condemned because of a lack of moral vision and will. At its root, the practice of abortion is a “human error” that is “irreversible and irreparable.”
Gov. Newsom should consider a moratorium on the use of abortion because it is “unevenly and unfairly applied” to people of color and people who are poor, and used for the selective abortion of girls, and those with disabilities.
He should begin by vetoing SB 24, and call for a more thorough documentation and informed dialogue on how to best serve young women and the unborn.
About the Authors 
Jaime Soto is Bishop of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, Bishopsoto@scd.org. Jessica Manzo is a student at Sacramento State University, and vice president of the Sac State Newman Center, jessicamanzo1221@gmail.com. They wrote this commentary for CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s Capitol works and why it matters.

DON'T MISS

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

DON'T MISS

Dog Found in Horrid Conditions Now Seeks Loving Home

DON'T MISS

Trump Takes Aim at California Six Times in 24 Hours

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

DON'T MISS

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

DON'T MISS

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

DON'T MISS

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

DON'T MISS

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

DON'T MISS

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

UP NEXT

If California Bails Out LA’s $1 Billion Budget Deficit, Beware the Slippery Slope

UP NEXT

Trump Has Had Enough. He Is Not Alone.

UP NEXT

The Real Crisis in California Schools Is Low Achievement, Not Cultural Conflicts

UP NEXT

Trump and Musk Are Suffering From Soros Derangement Syndrome

UP NEXT

CA Politicians Have an Irritating Habit of Ignoring the Downsides

UP NEXT

If Pete Hegseth Had Any Honor, He Would Resign

UP NEXT

If Zero-Emission Cars Cut Gasoline Sales and Tax Revenue, How Will California Replace Them?

UP NEXT

How Israel Divides the Right

UP NEXT

Under Pressure From Trump, UC Abandons ‘Diversity Statement’ Requirement for Faculty

UP NEXT

California Seniors Are Paying the Price for Lawsuit Abuse 

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

16 hours ago

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

17 hours ago

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

17 hours ago

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

17 hours ago

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

17 hours ago

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

17 hours ago

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

19 hours ago

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

19 hours ago

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

19 hours ago

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

19 hours ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

While the slopes may still be open across much of North America, it’s time to think about next season. The major passes, including Epi...

56 minutes ago

56 minutes ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

Punkin, a 1-2-year-old dog with a tough past of living in a hoarding situation, is looking for a patient, understanding home with another dog to help him adjust and thrive. (Mell's Mutts)
1 hour ago

Dog Found in Horrid Conditions Now Seeks Loving Home

1 hour ago

Trump Takes Aim at California Six Times in 24 Hours

16 hours ago

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

17 hours ago

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

17 hours ago

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

17 hours ago

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

17 hours ago

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend