WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has harshly criticized the high-stakes abortion amendment on the ballot for voters in the Sunshine State, calling it a “bait and switch.”
Amendment 4, which would have abolished the six-week abortion ban by enshrining abortion in Florida's constitution, has become a key issue as Election Day approaches.
DeSantis held a press conference titled “Doctors Against the Fourth Amendment” on Tuesday at Grove Bible Chapel in Winter Garden, urging voters to vote “no” on the abortion amendment. The governor was joined by more than a dozen doctors who opposed the amendment.
“When people actually peel back the onion and find out what this amendment is, they're not going to like it,” he said. “And you're going to lose a lot of support.”
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks about the Fourth Amendment at Grove Bible Chapel in Winter Garden, Florida on October 22, 2024. (Woffle)
DeSantis criticized the bill's “vague language,” which could be interpreted as allowing elective abortions during a woman's pregnancy if determined to be necessary by abortion clinic employees, not just doctors. He strongly criticized the proposed amendment.
“It's interesting because it's written without definition,” he says. “It's intentionally vague and deceptive…What they're doing is lying about Florida's policies and laws regarding respect for life, respect for both the life of the mother and the health of the mother, and of course respect for the life of the child. Just being there.”
DeSantis said the amendment also does not define a viable period, which is generally understood to be about 20 to 25 weeks.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged voters to vote “no” on Amendment 4, calling the amendment's language “vague” and affecting parental rights. (Woffle)
DeSantis also said the amendment does not define “health care provider.”
“(Amendment 4) says abortion may be authorized by a 'health care provider' up to the moment of birth,” he said. “That's the term they used. Well, a health care provider is not the same as a licensed physician.”
“Florida law always requires that a qualified physician be involved in performing these procedures, some of which are very risky. Sometimes there are many potential complications. “There is,” he said. “So a non-physician will be doing this.
“I don't know if any other states have ever gone down that path.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attends the drivers meeting ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. ((Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images))
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DeSantis said another concern raised by the amendment is the language regarding abortion for minors.
The text says the amendment does not change the Legislature's ability to require parents to be notified of abortions of minors. However, Parliament's power to require parental consent to such procedures is excluded.
DeSantis has criticized the amendment as a “bait and switch” when it comes to custody.
“If adopted, this amendment would be the first in Florida's history to actually abolish a right. It would eliminate a parent's right to consent before their child can undergo an abortion. “It will happen,” he said. “Currently, Florida requires parental consent not only for abortions, but for all medical treatment of minors. Aspirin cannot be given to a child without parental consent.”
Abortion rights activists in Florida participate in a rally to protect Floridians' right to abortion. (Chandan Khanna/AFP)
“And that's what parents should be. Nevertheless, this amendment takes this issue permanently and says that parents have no right to be part of that decision-making process, no right to give consent.” It’s a thing.”
DeSantis pointed to the difference between parental notification and parental consent.
“This amendment is a bit of a bait-and-switch. Congress says parents need to be notified, but that's not the same as consent.” Notifications can also be sent by postcard.
“Parents know this is happening, but parents can't stop it,” DeSantis said. “Parents do not have permission and are not required to give permission. Therefore, it deprives a parent of the right to give consent to a minor.”
Abortion and the 2024 election
Florida is one of nine states with measures protecting abortion access on the Nov. 5 ballot. Featured issues are the most expensive in Florida, spending about $150 million on advertising, according to media tracking firm AdImpact.
The text of the proposed amendment states, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, or delay abortion before viability or if, in the judgment of the patient's health care provider, is necessary to protect the health of the patient.'' shall not be restricted or restricted.”
Trump and Harris are campaigning separately in Pennsylvania. (Getty Images)
playing cards
Former President Trump changed his stance on abortion during the campaign, and Republican candidates hope to appeal to independents and some disillusioned Democrats at the risk of alienating pro-life voters. There is.
President Trump has responded to Democratic attacks on the former president's stance on abortion by saying he would leave states with access to abortion determined by the Roe v. Wade reversal.
President Trump specifically opposes federal abortion bans, but continues to oppose late-term abortions. In July, Republicans abandoned their long-standing position of supporting abortion.
Harris
Through Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, she held President Trump (who later nominated three conservative justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade to the Supreme Court) responsible for the deterioration of women's health care. He has called for further restrictions.
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Harris expressed her position on the topic of legislation to restore the nation's abortion rights, which were abolished after Roe v. Wade.
She also called the abortion drug mifepristone an “essential medicine” and vowed to protect access to the drug.
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