Editor's Note: If you would like to help defeat Amendment 4, you can contribute here to assist No To 4 with their efforts.
Republican lawmakers from Florida have increasingly voiced their opposition to a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion into the Florida state constitution if passed by voters.
The text of the proposed measure, known as Amendment 4, would establish that “no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” Opponents of the ballot measure warn that the proposal does not define terms and thus allows for virtually all abortion in Florida since “viability” and “health” would be left to the discretion of the “healthcare provider.”
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis had already expressed his opposition to the ballot measure earlier this year and cautioned that those who care “about building a culture of life in this state or this country” should consider the amendment to be the “end of the pro-life movement.” Florida Republican Representative Greg Steube added this week that he believes in the “sanctity of life” and will therefore “staunchly oppose” the proposed amendment.
Florida Republican Representative Cory Mills and Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz both issued brief social media comments this week clarifying their opposition. Florida Republican Representative Byron Donalds meanwhile said at a town hall event that he likewise opposes the amendment since the proposal would “put abortion in our constitution.”
Many of the lawmakers at first hesitated to make statements against the measure as many Republican candidates increasingly believe that taking stances against abortion would be politically costly.
The measure would require 60% of votes in order to amend the state constitution. One recent survey from the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab found that 69% of residents currently support the measure, while a mere 23% of residents oppose the measure.
Members of the Republican National Committee provoked backlash as they advanced a new platform which removes most language opposed to abortion. The changes to the Republican Party platform were suggested by the campaign for Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump, who released a similarly controversial statement earlier this year calling for states to make their own laws on abortion and opposing federal policy to protect preborn babies.
Other states are facing similar ballot initiatives to enshrine abortion into their constitutions. Missouri voters will consider a measure to codify a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.”
