HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS
Legislation repealing New Mexico’s outdated and dangerous ban on abortions is now on its way to the Governor’s desk after passing the House of Representatives today.
Senate Bill 10 is sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque) and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), as well as Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D-Mesilla), Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces), Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe), Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque).
SB10 repeals an antiquated abortion ban from the 1960s still on the state’s books. While the statute became unenforceable after the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, it could become enforceable again should Roe v. Wade be overturned. SB10 guarantees New Mexicans access to safe and legal reproductive health care no matter what may happen on a federal level.
“Today, the House of Representatives passed a historic piece of legislation to affirm that personal decisions about abortion must remain with New Mexicans and our families,” said Rep. Cadena. “This moment comes from generations of organizing and effort by Indigenous, Black, Chicana, and other leaders of color who have upheld our values and made today’s vote possible.”
“New Mexicans understand that they can hold their own personal views about abortion, and still trust others to make their own reproductive health care decisions,” said Rep. Ferrary. “Regardless of what happens at the U.S. Supreme Court, SB10 ensures that New Mexico will continue to protect women and their health care providers for safe and legal abortions.”
“Many advocates in the House and throughout our communities have fought tirelessly for years to repeal this outdated statute from New Mexico’s books, and we are elated that the day has finally come,” said Speaker Egolf. “I look forward to the Governor signing this vital bill into law and guaranteeing the right to reproductive health care for the people of New Mexico.”
“New Mexicans deeply value their families, communities, and individuality. But when women do not have safe and legal access to abortion care, it puts all of those things at risk,” said Rep. Armstrong. “SB 10 discards the outdated ideologies of this half-a-century-old statute, and instead, focuses on what’s best for New Mexico’s families today.”
“Women in New Mexico, and especially Indigenous women, have long had their health care decisions taken away from them,” said Rep. Louis. “I’m proud to sponsor SB 10 to ensure that future generations of New Mexicans can retain their body autonomy and choose their futures for themselves.”
Senate Bill 10 passed on the House floor with a 40-30 vote, and will now head to the desk of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to sign it into law.
Members of the public can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website, access committee meetings and House floor sessions via the Webcasts tab, or participate by Zoom to provide public comment on committee hearings. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.