Pittsburgh Review

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf reiterated his stance on abortion recently, saying that he will veto any proposed anti-abortion legislation that is approved as he has done in the past.

According to a recent release by Wolf’s office, there were two bills in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that have been approved. Senate Bill 152 prohibits state funding to health care entities that perform abortions. Senate Bill 956 amends the state’s constitution to say that abortion is unconstitutional. He said these bills would “severely limit access to health care services,” and added that this is especially true for those with low incomes.

“Since I took office, there have been six anti-abortion bills introduced by members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly,” Wolf said on Twitter and on the governor’s website. “I have vetoed the three bills placed on my desk for signature and vowed to veto the rest. I'll veto any new attempts to restrict access to abortion.” 

Over the years, Wolf has been staunchly opposed to anti-abortion laws, evident by his vetoing and also speaking out on the issue clearly on a number of occasions. One time was in 2019 when he vowed to veto the “heartbeat bill” and any legislation restricting women reproduction rights, which his most recent comments echoed.

“Today I am reaffirming my commitment to keeping Pennsylvania a place where women make their own health decisions,” Wolf said in November 2019. “Politicians should not be in a doctor’s office. Make no mistake about it, while the general assembly cleverly names anti-health care choice bills things like 'Heartbeat Bill,' this is an attack on women’s personal freedoms, personal choice and personal liberties.”

Wolf, a Democrat, has been the governor of Pennsylvania since 2015 after beating Republican incumbent Tom Corbett. He was re-elected in 2018 by a 17-point margin over Republican Scott Wagner, according to Ballotpedia. As there are term limits for governor of Pennsylvania, Wolf cannot seek re-election this fall.