North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) accused Republicans in the state of ignoring “the will of the people” after a GOP supermajority on Tuesday overturned its veto on a 12-week abortion ban. (Check out his remarks in the clip below)
In an interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, Cooper slammed Republican lawmakers for the ban in a state that has seen it happen Highest percentage increase in abortions since the fall of Roe v. Wade an increase due to out-of-state travel due to other South and Midwest bans.
“It’s amazing how they’ve ignored the will of the people here,” Cooper said.
“Most North Carolina residents don’t want right-wing politicians in the exam room with women and their doctors… This legislation slaps women in the face. It’s an insult. The people of North Carolina are crazy.”
The governor’s comments come after North Carolina state Rep. Tricia Cotham’s change of party in April and current GOP Rep. Tricia Cotham proved crucial in winning a veto-proof Republican supermajority.
Cotham, once an outspoken supporter of abortion rightsdid not answer questions from a North Carolina-based WNCN reporter asking her how she reconciles the vote with her previous positions.
The ban is set to come into effect on July 1.
Cooper, who called the Republican override of the veto “an assault on women’s reproductive freedom,” went on to criticize party members for enforcing the ban in 42 hours and “turning the clock back 50 years… in the darkness of the night”. ”
North Carolina’s abortion ban comes at a time when Republicans in several other states have been making efforts to pass other more restrictive bans, including in Nebraska, where lawmakers included a 12-week ban in a bill that would limit gender-specific care of Restricted to under 19s.
South Carolina also enacted a six-week abortion ban on Wednesday, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a six-week abortion ban last month.
Cooper warned women were dying due to prohibitions across the country and predicted abortion will be a “key” issue for voters in the 2024 election.
“People are ready for next year’s elections. Every single seat in the House and Senate is currently up for grabs and we will never give up in our fight to protect women’s health,” Cooper said of his state.