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Self-Described ‘Pro-Life’ Republican Governor Signs Bill Making Nevada Safe Haven For Abortion Tourism

   DailyWire.com
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Clark County Sheriff and Republican Nevada Gov.-elect Joe Lombardo gives victory remarks at his alma mater, Rancho High School, on November 14, 2022 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. On November 11, Lombardo was declared the winner of his tightly contested race against Democratic incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has signed a bill into law that makes Nevada a safe haven for abortion tourism, joining deep blue states like Rhode Island and California in instituting laws that would block the enforcement of pro-life measures prohibiting traveling for abortions. 

Lombardo, who describes himself as a “pro-life” Catholic whose election was supported by the National Right to Life, was praised by Democrats in the state after signing the bill. In April, Idaho became the first state to ban abortion tourism for minors. 

“Governor Lombardo made a campaign commitment to ensure that Nevada would not participate in prosecuting those seeking legal medical care in the state,” Lombardo spokesperson Elizabeth Ray said on Wednesday. “Today, Governor Lombardo kept that commitment.”

The Daily Wire has reached out to Lombardo’s office for further comment on his decision.

During his campaign for governor, Lombardo said that he would “always govern as a pro-life governor” and that “he trusts the people of Nevada to make the important decision of what legislation to send to his desk.” He said that he would leave the decision up to Nevada voters. 

The law, SB 131, prohibits authorities in the state from pursuing or aiding in any criminal charges brought against out-of-state women who travel to Nevada for an abortion. 

It passed 27-14 in the state Assembly and 15-6 in the state Senate. 

“I want to thank [Lombardo] for following through on his commitment to ensuring that Nevada won’t participate in prosecutions of women who come here to exercise their reproductive rights,” said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro.

In November 2022, Lombardo defeated incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak in a close race, taking nearly 49% of the vote to Sisolak’s 47%. 

Lombardo, the former sheriff of Clark County, ran a campaign focused mainly on economic issues, education, and crime, especially the prevalence of black market fentanyl in the state. The longtime law enforcement officer portrayed himself as a moderate on other issues, such as abortion, consistently downplaying what he could do to limit abortion as governor.

The law codifies an executive order signed by Sisolak, which Lombardo initially said he would repeal until reversing his stance several months into the campaign.

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