Maine legislators have announced a plan to protect the killing of preborn human beings in the state by enshrining it as a “right” in the state constitution. Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc), is the sponsor of LD 780, a measure that would “protect the personal reproductive autonomy” of Maine citizens.
“The ability to determine our reproductive health is a fundamental human right and deserves the same level of protection as our other constitutionally protected rights as Americans, like the right to free speech and religious beliefs of our choosing,” Vitelli claimed — though there is never a legitimate ‘right’ to kill another innocent human.
Maine has already solidified itself as a pro-abortion state, particularly in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision in June 2022. Last year, lawmakers in the state passed legislation that allows the intentional killing of preborn children up to birth for any reason.
Governor Janet Mills signaled her support of the proposed constitutional amendment on January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
READ: There is no ‘right’ to abortion in the U.S. Constitution
“No matter how strong our laws may be, they are subject to ever-changing political tides and can be repealed,” she wrote in testimony to the Judiciary Committee. “That is why, without any such federal protection, it is critical that Maine people be assured that reproductive autonomy be protected to the greatest extent possible in the state — through an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Maine.”
Assistant Senate Minority Leader Lisa Keim (R-Dixfield) said the legislation was simply for show. “There’s no way it’s going to pass,” she said. “They shouldn’t be putting this political theater on stage again.”
Policy director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, Mike McClellan, told Spectrum News that his organization is prepared to fight the proposal.
“This battle is about a bill and it’s about win or lose and the people on my side are going to keep showing up because we’re fighting for eternity,” he said. “The Christian Civic League does not believe in abortion on any level. We value life.”
According to the Maine Beacon, the resolution first needs to pass two-thirds of the House and the Senate before heading to the statewide ballot.
