“ …House Bill 67, an amendment declaring “no right to abortion” in Kentucky’s Constitution, didn’t make it to a vote on the Senate floor. It passed the House in mid-March, yet didn’t receive consideration in the Senate. Westerfield said he and his colleagues never received “a good or consistent answer” as to why HB67 didn’t get a vote in the Senate.

“Constitutional amendments are immune from gubernatorial vetoes. Had HB67 passed the Senate, Kentucky voters could have approved the measure in November’s general election.

“Westerfield insisted the constitutional amendment will be brought up again when the Kentucky legislature reconvenes next year.”

Many national and Kentucky media outlets reported that HB67 passed the House of Representatives. It is significant legislation, and has been received in the Senate.

The Amendment submitted to voters in Nov. 2020 would read: “To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion. Vote yes or no.”

Some testimonies of pro-abortion women were not heard ‘in committee’ when HB67 was considered. This was due to time restrictions and many legislative issues on the docket. However, when HB67 landed on the House Floor for a vote, those testimonies were read in full by Democrat Representatives, including Mary Lou Marzian, Lisa Willner, Jeffery Donohue, Josie Raymond, Joni Jenkins and Reginald Meeks, all who are representatives from Jefferson County.

Those who questioned any need for HB67 or stated it was bad legislation or bad for women included: Maria Sorolis, Tom Burch, Al Gentry and Attica Scott, all Jefferson Co.; Kelly Flood (Fayette-part), Derrick Graham (Franklin-part) and Patti Minter (Warren-part). Some others spoke out to ask for clarification or to explain their vote. The full discussion can be viewed here (Part 1- starting at about 53 min.) and here (Part 2).

Those speaking out in favor of HB67 were Rep. Joe Fischer (Campbell-part), sponsor of the bill, Stan Lee (Fayette-part) and Melinda Prunty (Hopkins-part, Muhlenberg). For Lee’s and Prunty’s speeches, start at 22 min. here. Fischer’s remarks opened the discussion and were in answer to many questions.

Democrats who voted YEA include: Terri Clark (Boyd), Joe Graviss (Fayette-part, Franklin-part, Woodford), Angie Hatton (Letcher, Pike-part), Kathy Hinkle (Carter, Lawrence), Cluster Howard (Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Madison-part, Owsley), Russ Meyer (Fayette-part, Jessamine-part), Dean Schamore (Breckinridge, Hancock, Hardin-part), John Sims Jr (Bracken, Fleming, Mason, Robertson), Wilson Stone (Allen, Simpson, Warren-part), Ashley Tackett Lafferty (Floyd, Pike-part), Buddy Wheatley (Kenton-part), and Rob Wiederstein (Daviess-part, Henderson-part). That’s 12 democrats— A big thank you to all these!

The Vote History is here. See related post.