Abortion rights are taking center stage in the Kansas Legislature as a constitutional amendment passes one of three major hurdles.
On Wednesday, the Kansas Senate approved the amendment on a 28-12 vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against. The amendment would reverse last year’s decision by the Kansas Supreme Court saying the Kansas Constitution gives a woman the right to choose whether to continue a pregnancy. Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, a Republican and the 17th District Senator from Emporia, says it’s time to let the people choose.
Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, says a vote is the absolute wrong way to proceed because reproductive rights are “fundamental American freedoms.”
With Senate approval, the bill now moves its way to the House, where 84 votes are needed to put the bill on the ballot for voters to decide. A simple majority vote would then be needed to change the Constitution.
