New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said Tuesday that the state plans to stockpile abortion drugs in preparation for President-elect Trump’s return to the White House next week, when Republicans control both chambers of Congress.
Although the governor commented on protecting abortion pills like mifepristone in his State of the Nation address and vowed to work with President Trump on issues of shared priorities, the state remains prepared to push back against the incoming administration. He also emphasized that there is. they are against it.
Murphy is one of the few Democratic governors to say he’s willing to work with the Trump administration. But Murphy stressed that he would not back down from the challenging “anti-choice” policies supported by Washington’s Republican-led House and Senate, and that the state would “ensure that all women have access to this important reproductive health care.” He said he would stockpile mifepristone.
“We will never back down from partnering with the Trump administration, where our priorities are aligned,” Murphy said. “But just as importantly, even when New Jersey’s values are tested, I will never back down from defending them.”
Montana asks Supreme Court to uphold law requiring parental consent for abortions for minors
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy delivers the State of the State Address during a joint session of Congress at the State Capitol in Trenton, New Jersey, January 9, 2024 (Associated Press).
New Jersey is the latest Democratic-led state to announce plans to stockpile mifepristone, one of two drugs used in combination to end pregnancies.
President Trump, who takes office on January 20, said last month that he had no intention of restricting abortion drugs, but acknowledged that “things have changed.”
Pro-choice advocates fear President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, will reinstate the Comstock Act, an 1873 law passed by Congress that bans the mailing of drugs and equipment used in abortions. has been expressed.
Family Planning Chapter Provides Harris Campaign Workspace, Tax Violations: IRS Claims
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy spoke at a news conference in Newark in August. (AP/Eduardo Muñoz Alvarez)
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled to maintain access to mifepristone. The lawsuit sought to restrict access to the drug, including in states where abortion is legal.
With some exceptions, 14 states ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy, and three others ban abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
In his penultimate State of the State address on Tuesday, Murphy emphasized his reluctance to become a lame duck governor before his second term ends and unveiled several proposals for this year. . Term-limited governors will retire one year after the gubernatorial election in November. New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states with regular gubernatorial elections scheduled this year.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks to members of the media after meeting with President Biden at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting at the White House on Friday, February 10, 2023. (Ting Sheng/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“In this final chapter of our journey, our absolute top priority, as it has been since day one, is to provide economic security and opportunity for all New Jerseyans,” Murphy said. said.
Other proposals announced by Murphy include directing schools to ban cell phone use in kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Our kids are inundated with screens,” he said. “And they make it incredibly difficult for our children not only to learn, but to retain what they learn.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source link