New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of abortion access bills into law on Monday ahead of a pending Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade.
Hochul spoke regarding the legislation during a live stream as part of the signing.
“My friends, the sky is literally on the verge of falling in the next week or two and that’s why we are here today,” Hochul said in reference to the upcoming Supreme Court ruling.
“The right to control our own bodies is supposed to be settled by now, or so we thought,” she added.
The legislation is intended “to immediately protect abortion access and reproductive rights,” according to Hochul.
I’m in New York City signing legislation to immediately protect abortion access and reproductive rights. Join me live: https://t.co/buO3gljACp
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 13, 2022
“This is my message to those who are trying to take away the fundamental right to an abortion: Not here. Not now. Not ever,” Hochul said in a Twitter post.
This is my message to those who are trying to take away the fundamental right to an abortion: Not here. Not now. Not ever.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 13, 2022
In another Twitter post, Hochul referred to the legislation as “a nation-leading legislative package to protect abortion and reproductive rights for all.”
Hochul has previously expressed her support to offer state funding to abortion providers across the state.
“The Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade this month – but New York will be ready,” Hochul said in a statement earlier this month ahead of signing the legislation.
“Like the vast majority of Americans, I was horrified to learn that extremists on the court are likely to strip away the right to an abortion by overturning Roe. This decision, once announced, will have devastating consequences for the health, wellbeing and economic security of millions of women across this country,” she added.
The legislation will provide $35 million in investments to abortion providers in New York.
In May, Hochul also wrote an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal to urge companies that want to support abortion rights to move to her state.
“The best way for companies to send the message that they value the health and well-being of their workers is to operate in a state that does as well. My message to CEOs that want to stand up and be counted in support of equal rights for all is simple: Join the other companies already flourishing here, and come to New York,” the governor wrote.