Nikki Fried: Abortion bill HR 5 is ‘immoral’ and ‘illegal’

Democratic Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is running against Ron DeSantis and reached out to supporters to fight against the “immoral” and “illegal” HR 5, anti-abortion bill which is in the Florida Senate.

“When Roe v. Wade was decided almost 50 years ago, women in this country were guaranteed the right to choose. We were guaranteed the right to make private, personal medical decisions without government interference,” Fried states in the email.

“And in just a few short weeks, Ron DeSantis and the GOP majority will take that right away from us.”

The bill prohibits a “physician from performing a termination of pregnancy if the physician determines the gestational age of a fetus is more than a specified number of weeks; (15 weeks), providing an exception” which is defined as follows:

“(a)Two physicians certify in writing that, in reasonable medical judgment, the termination of the pregnancy is necessary to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman other than a psychological condition.

(b) The physician certifies in writing that, in reasonable medical judgment, there is a medical necessity for legitimate emergency medical procedures for termination of the pregnancy to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of imminent substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman other than a psychological condition, and another physician is not available for consultation.

(c) The fetus has not achieved viability under s.390.01112 and two physicians certify in writing that, in reasonable medical judgement, the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality.”

Fried targeted the language of the bill for not including exceptions for rape or incest.

“Not only does the GOP’s anti-choice bill take away women’s bodily autonomy, it doesn’t make any exception for cases of rape or incest. And I’ll tell you why: Governor DeSantis and his GOP allies don’t care about health and safety. They don’t care about protecting life. The only purpose of a bill like this is to force women into giving birth, no matter the situation, no matter the risk, and no matter how much trauma it inflicts.”

The statement from Fried closed out with a request for money, see below for the full text.

Full text of HR 5: HERE

Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality

GENERAL BILL by Grall ; Persons-Mulicka ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Gregory

Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality; Revises purpose & requirements for Comprehensive Statewide Tobacco Education & Use Prevention Program; requires DOH to contract with local healthy start coalitions for creation of fetal & infant mortality review committees; prohibits physician from performing abortion if gestational age of fetus is determined to be more than specified number of weeks; provides exception; requires directors of certain medical facilities & certain physicians to submit monthly report to AHCA electronically; requires hospitals participate in minimum number of quality improvement initiatives. APPROPRIATION: $260,000

Full text of email:

Today, the Florida GOP filed HB 5 — a bill that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, leaving women a very short window to make an informed medical decision. 

This isn’t just immoral, it’s flat out illegal, team. 

When Roe v. Wade was decided almost 50 years ago, women in this country were guaranteed the right to choose. We were guaranteed the right to make private, personal medical decisions without government interference.

And in just a few short weeks, Ron DeSantis and the GOP majority will take that right away from us. 

The only way we can protect women’s rights in Florida is to defeat Ron DeSantis and elect leaders who will fight for Florida women. And with your help, that’s exactly what I’ll do. Click here to chip in $10 and help us win this fight. 

Not only does the GOP’s anti-choice bill take away women’s bodily autonomy, it doesn’t make any exception for cases of rape or incest. And I’ll tell you why:

Governor DeSantis and his GOP allies don’t care about health and safety. They don’t care about protecting life. The only purpose of a bill like this is to force women into giving birth, no matter the situation, no matter the risk, and no matter how much trauma it inflicts.

We can’t let a room full of men make decisions on women’s reproductive rights. 

I’ve spent my life standing up for women’s rights. And I’m not going to sit silently while DeSantis and the Florida GOP pass cruel, inhumane legislation to take away Florida women’s right to safe abortions. If you’re with me, click here to rush a $10 donation today.