California Governor Gavin Newsom has shocked the abortion industry by vetoing a bill which would have codified the state's protections for abortionists who break laws in pro-life states.
Key Takeaways:
In 2022, Newsom signed Executive Order N-12-22, protecting abortionists from being extradited to pro-life states after violating those states' laws.
Assembly Bill 2164 would have codified this executive order in law and strengthened the shield laws in California.
Newsom vetoed the bill, sending shockwaves through the abortion industry.
The Details:
Newsom's 2022 executive order banned California state agencies from cooperating with state agencies in pro-life states looking to extradite abortionists for violating their laws regarding abortion. This includes forcing medical records, patient data, billing records, or other information which could assist another state's investigation or legal case to remain confidential.
Assembly Bill 2164, meanwhile, would have strengthened the executive order to apply to California abortionists who committed abortions outside of California. These restrictions would have been codified into state law, rather than as an executive order from a sitting governor.
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Despite Newsom's ardent support for abortion, he vetoed the bill. In a statement, he explained why:
While I share the author's views on the importance of protecting these important health care services, extradition is an exclusively executive function. When discretionary, that discretion is appropriately placed with the Governor.
I am troubled by the precedent that would be set if an outgoing administration agreed with the Legislature to erode the executive authority of an incoming Governor based on their shared policy preferences, regardless of how righteous and well-intended those actions may be.