TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A measure aimed at preserving the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature’s power to regulate abortion appeared Thursday to be short of the support it needs to pass the state House and get on the ballot.
The House gave first-round approval to a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution to overturn a Kansas Supreme Court decision last year declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights.
The House vote Thursday was 80-41 and sets up another, final vote Friday to determine whether the amendment is put to a statewide vote in the August primary election, when a simple majority would change the constitution. The Senate approved the measure last week.
But supporters need two-thirds majorities in both chambers and 84 of 125 votes in the House in Friday’s vote. Supporters were four votes short Thursday. Four Democrats were absent, but House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, of Wichita, said they all would have voted no.
Republicans hold exactly 84 seats in the House, but four of them opposed the amendment Thursday.
Abortion rights advocates see the measure as a step toward banning abortion. Abortion opponents argue they’re trying only to reassert lawmakers’ long-standing authority to regulate abortion.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators expect a close vote on a measure aimed at preserving their power to regulate abortion, and backers aren’t sure they have enough support yet to get it on the ballot.
The Kansas House on Thursday was to debate a proposed amendment to the state constitution to overturn a Kansas Supreme Court decision last year declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights.
House members expected a final vote Friday to determine whether the measure goes on the August primary ballot after the Senate passed it last month. Approval by a simple majority of voters would change the constitution.
“The votes are really close,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican.
Abortion rights advocates see the measure as a step toward banning abortion. Abortion opponents argue they’re trying only to reassert lawmakers’ long-standing authority to regulate abortion.
Supporters need a two-thirds majority in the House, or 84 of 125 votes. The GOP holds exactly that many seats, but it wasn’t clear every Republican would vote yes. Many Democrats believed that all of their members would vote no.
“I don’t think that they have the votes,” said Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat.
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