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Releases: Cuomo statements, transcript, video on passage of Reproductive Health Act abortion bills. Youtube videos included.
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Text of releases.


For Immediate Release: 1/23/2019
GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO



ICYMI: GOVERNOR CUOMO MADE HISTORY IN NEW YORK YESTERDAY BY SIGNING INTO LAW THE RIGHT FOR EVERY WOMAN TO CONTROL HER OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND SECURE AN ABORTION


Last night, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo fulfilled his promise to sign into law the Reproductive Health Act, a key component of the 2019 Justice Agenda, within the first 30 days of the new legislative session. The Reproductive Health Act protects women's reproductive rights by ensuring New Yorkers can make personal healthcare decisions and medical professionals can provide crucial services without fear of criminal penalty. The legislation codifies Roe v. Wade into New York State law. More information is available here.

VIDEO highlighting New York's historic leadership and the signing of the Reproductive Health Act available here.

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For Immediate Release: 1/22/2019
GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO



GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LEGISLATION PROTECTING WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Fulfills Promise to Sign Reproductive Health Act - A Central Part of Governor's 2019 Justice Agenda - Within First 30 Days of New Legislative Session

The Reproductive Health Act Ensures New Yorkers Can Make Personal Healthcare Decisions and Crucial Services Can Be Provided Without Fear of Criminal Penalty

Codifies Roe v. Wade into State Law


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today fulfilled his promise to sign into law the Reproductive Health Act, a key component of the 2019 Justice Agenda, within the first 30 days of the new legislative session. The Reproductive Health Act protects women's reproductive rights by ensuring New Yorkers can make personal healthcare decisions and medical professionals can provide crucial services without fear of criminal penalty. The legislation codifies Roe v. Wade into New York State law.

"In the face of a federal government intent on rolling back Roe v. Wade and women's reproductive rights, I promised that we would pass this critical legislation within the first 30 days of the new session - and we got it done," Governor Cuomo said. "Today we are taking a giant step forward in the hard-fought battle to ensure a woman's right to make her own decisions about her own personal health, including the ability to access an abortion. With the signing of this bill, we are sending a clear message that whatever happens in Washington, women in New York will always have the fundamental right to control their own body."

"As keepers of the torch for women's rights that was first ignited in New York State back in 1848, we have a moral responsibility to continue this fight today," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Thanks to an election that saw record numbers of women elected to office, I presided over the State Senate and we finally enacted the Reproductive Health Act to protect the rights of women across our great state. We act today on the anniversary of the groundbreaking decision of Roe v. Wade and recognize the threat we face from a Supreme Court determined to overturn protections that have been in place for over four decades. Today is an historic day for women in New York, and I'm proud that we are working every day to ensure full equality and safety for women."

The Reproductive Health Act amends the public health law, de-criminalizing women's access to abortions and protecting the doctors who perform them.

In the face of Washington's assault on women's rights, including access to all health care options and guaranteed coverage of emergency contraception and other contraceptive drugs, the Governor has taken action to counter the federal government's reversals. In July 2018 the Governor signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Financial Services and Department of Health to administer regulations to insurance providers requiring them to cover over the counter emergency contraception, all other contraceptive drugs, devices or other products for women, and to provide 12 months of contraceptive at one time, all without co-insurance, co-pays or deductibles.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "New York once led the way on choice and women's rights. Unfortunately for years, barriers to women's rights were put up, and our state has fallen behind. Today, we are tearing those barriers down and we are now leading the way again. I commend Governor Cuomo, my colleague Speaker Heastie, and both bill sponsors Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick for taking historic action and leading New York State forward in the fight for women's rights. It is time for New York to again serve as a progressive beacon to the nation."

Senator Liz Krueger said, "The decision about whether to have an abortion is deeply personal. It involves a complex weighing of a woman's unique circumstances, her medical needs, her private morality, and her own body. That is why it is a decision that must be made by a woman and her healthcare provider alone - not by the government. Our abortion laws, once groundbreaking, are now almost fifty years old. They do not meet the standard set by Roe v Wade, and they do not reflect modern medical practice. We will never know how many New York women have suffered and even died because our outdated laws prevented them from getting the care they desperately needed. Today we turn the page. By enacting the RHA, New York will once again lead the nation on women's reproductive healthcare, and help ensure that all New Yorkers have the freedom and opportunity to make their own decisions about their health and their families."

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, "While the administration in Washington continues its assault on women's reproductive rights, the Assembly Majority remains dedicated to fighting for a woman's right to choose. The bills we passed today ensure New Yorkers can control their family planning decisions, have access to the reproductive healthcare they need and will not be discriminated against for their choices. With our new partners in the Senate we have finally seen this legislation pass both houses and signed into law on the anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision."

Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, "New York women deserve to have their own healthcare decisions respected. Women, in consultation with healthcare professionals, and not legislators, should make decisions that affect their own health free of interference. After years of fighting for the passage of this essential protection for women, our moment has finally arrived. The New York State Assembly has kept the torch lit for years, and we are extremely excited to be able to pass the torch to a Senate dedicated to the respect of women and the protection of their basic right to make healthcare decisions. I am grateful for the Governor's support and his eagerness to sign this bill at last."

Gloria Steinem said, "A woman's power to decide whether she will give birth or not is the single greatest determinant of whether she is healthy or not, educated or not, works outside the home or not, and how long she will live. This power has been taken away by patriarchy and racism, sometimes disguised as religion, yet it is our most basic democratic right. I'm thankful to Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature for passing the Reproductive Health Act. It will codify Roe v. Wade in New York State law, guarantee women's right to make decisions about our own bodies, and help create a future in which every child has the right to be born loved and wanted."

Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute of Reproductive Health Action Fund, said, "Governor Cuomo has tirelessly advocated for a woman's access to quality reproductive health care, especially in the face of hostile attacks from the president, U.S. Congress and Supreme Court. Today, in signing the RHA, the CCCA, and the Boss Bill, he has cemented New York's role as a progressive stronghold that prioritizes access to abortion care and contraception."

Robin Chappelle Golston, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, said, "We are here today because we demanded the right to control our own bodies and the ability to access the reproductive health care we require. New Yorkers know that no one should ever have the power to turn back the clock on our health care or take away our rights. Together advocates and our legislative champions worked to secure our reproductive freedom and rights. We thank Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins leadership and Governor Andrew Cuomo for his vision and commitment to securing our reproductive rights."

NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said, "Today New York State took a historic vote to protect women's rights and autonomy. The Reproductive Health Act recognizes reproductive health care as a fundamental right. It takes abortion out of the criminal code and puts it where women's health belongs -- in the public health law. It recognizes the range of medical professionals that women can turn to, expanding access to early care. Together with the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, this legislation will strengthen a woman's ability to decide what is right for her life, her body, and her family. As attacks on reproductive rights grow around the country, emboldened by the Trump administration's efforts to stack the courts against women, updating New York's abortion law to protect the rights guaranteed by Roe v. Wade is more critical than ever. While there is still more to do to ensure New York can be a safe haven for women all over the country, today is a day for long-overdue celebration."

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For Immediate Release: 1/22/2019
GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO



VIDEO, B-ROLL, AUDIO, PHOTOS & RUSH TRANSCRIPT: GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LEGISLATION PROTECTING WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Fulfills Promise to Sign Reproductive Health Act - A Central Part of Governor's 2019 Justice Agenda - Within First 30 Days of New Legislative Session

The Reproductive Health Act Ensures New Yorkers Can Make Personal Healthcare Decisions and Crucial Services Can Be Provided Without Fear of Criminal Penalty

Codifies Roe v. Wade into State Law


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today fulfilled his promise to sign into law the Reproductive Health Act, a key component of the 2019 Justice Agenda, within the first 30 days of the new legislative session. The Reproductive Health Act protects women's reproductive rights by ensuring New Yorkers can make personal healthcare decisions and medical professionals can provide crucial services without fear of criminal penalty. The legislation codifies Roe v. Wade into New York State law. More information is available here.

VIDEO of today's event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

B-ROLL of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

AUDIO of today's event is available here.

PHOTOS of the event are available on the Governor's Flickr page.

A rush transcript of the event is available below:

Governor Cuomo: Okay, good evening. It is a good evening this evening. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Let's give a warm welcome to all the advocates who have worked so long and so hard for so many years. And let's give a round of applause to all the legislators who finally got it done, we took the vote. And we have a special guest of honor. It couldn't have come together any better than it's come together today. Sarah Weddington, who argued Roe v. Wade, here today on the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Let's give Sarah a big round of applause.

I was just talking to some members of my staff about this and, you know, this evening is a little bitter sweet for me. Sweet, because we won and we won after a long, long, long fight. You know, your family members all put it into context for you. I was speaking to one of my daughters and I said, "oh it's great, the legislature is going to pass the Reproductive Health Act." She said, "the Reproductive Health Act? Weren't you supposed to do that like eight years ago?" I said, "well yeah, but you know it got complicated." She said, "hey Dad, don't ever give me problems for a deadline again." It's a little different.

But this was a long, long haul and for the advocacy community, what you have done here, the way you stayed with it, Planned Parenthood led by Robin Chappelle Golston, the National Institute of Reproductive Health and Andrea Miller, NOW and Sonia Osorio, NYCLU Donna Lieberman, the ACOG--congratulations, congratulations, congratulations.

To the legislators who would never give up the fight, I first applaud the Legislative Leader Carl Heastie, who's doing a great job, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins who brought a new, fresh breath. To Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who—I didn't get to finish what I was going to say about Deborah Glick. Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who has made an entire career out of being the first at the head of the crusade to fight for human equality and human rights for every human being, we have such respect for you. God bless you. Another round of applause for Deborah Glick. To the Senate sponsor who was tenacious, Senator Liz Krueger, we thank you. And before she had time to be Senate Leader, one of the original sponsors of this bill Andrea Stewart-Cousins again.

Today is sweet because in a few minutes I will sign this bill and another New York national precedent will be established. The most aggressive women's equality platform in the nation is going to be in law in this state. And that's the way it should be. I also want to thank my staff, I see Mylan Denerstein and Melissa and Alphonso.

This one was personal for many. 2013 it all comes around. I proposed the Women's Equality Act 10 points. Sarah Weddington sends me her book "A Question of Choice," with a note inside it - "Congratulations on the women's equality agenda." As it turns out we don't pass all 10, we only pass nine. And the one that didn't pass was Reproductive Health. I don't have the heart to say to Sarah, "Actually, we didn't pass the 10th one." But I can say to Sarah tonight, we are 10 for 10 on women's equality, and thank you for the note.

I say bittersweet because there is a bitterness, because we shouldn't be here in the first place. We should not have a federal government that is trying to roll back women's rights to a point 47, 48, 50 years ago. This administration defies American evolution. We're supposed to be moving forward, we're supposed to be advancing, we're supposed to live and learn, we're supposed to be growing. And their entire perspective on the world is a retrospective. We're going to go back, take you back to the good old days, instead of take us forward. Everything is about division - by income, by race, by gender, just over and over and over. The same mantra.

So that's the bitterness. We shouldn't be here. And the bitterness is how fast that political pendulum can swing. Just think, when we were debating the Reproductive Health Act, our Republican colleagues in the Senate, "It's unnecessary anyway because no one would ever try to reverse Roe v. Wade." Remember that? That's what they said. It was unnecessary because nobody would try to reverse Roe v. Wade. Well how wrong they were. Because this president and these extremists are going there, do not kid yourself. Today's decision on the military ban for transgender, that 5 - 4, you're going to hear that over, and over and over again. That's why they wanted the Supreme Court. And that's why we had to pass this law, to protect our state. And that's why I believe we have to go even a step further and do a constitutional amendment so no governor, no legislator, no political swing, can ever jeopardize a woman's right to control her own body in this state.

New York setting the bar on women's equality. Like we did on marriage equality where we said simply to this nation that love does not discriminate. And that message reverberated all across the nation. This message is going to do the same thing. This has been too long coming and it's been too obvious and too unfair. Women's equality in the law and in the constitution for all. We stand up and point the exact opposite direction of this president and this federal government. And there couldn't be a better time.

Now, Sarah Weddington in many ways, Sarah, what you did is what we as a collective try to do. You've made such a difference in your life. You've been such an example for so many. Rarely has such a precedent been so powerful for so long. And the way you did it, taking on all the odds, you couldn't write a better story of heroism and courage and leadership. 26 years old, in Texas, a new attorney takes on a case to sue the state of Texas on behalf of a woman who was pregnant, who was forced to carry the baby to term and put it up for adoption. 26-year-old lawyer wins in the District Court, wins 7-2 in the Supreme Court. Youngest person to successfully argue a case in the Supreme Court to today, believe it or not. That is Sarah Weddington. And Sarah, that is such a beautiful public service. That is such a precedent that has driven laws all across the nation. We would like to give you, as an honorary New Yorker, we're going to work on your accent just a little bit, but we would like to give you the New York Award for Public Service. It says: to Sarah Weddington, for your success winning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and your lifelong commitment to equality, freedom and individual rights for all. God bless you.

Sarah Weddington: First, I want to say a very sincere thank you. The Governor's tie indicates the depth of his sincerity—I was so grateful when he called and asked me to come and be a part of this. I do have another boot that has glitter and all kinds of stuff on it and it is an award to women who kick ass. But this is a great award and I'm very pleased with it. It was also fun to be in the house and the senate. I got to see more of the Senators' vote, but you know who had the bow tie on? I'm sorry I don't know their names. Oh yeah. So there were some really great speeches and wonderful presentations. I look back in history and people have said—Governor, I'm sorry, I'm supposed to speak no more than four to five minutes—no, no, you have to give me signals. Because I'll quit when you say quit.

Governor Cuomo: Whatever you got before the supreme Court.

Sarah Weddington: Well I had 30 minutes there. Some people have said, how did you get to argue Roe versus Wade? And I said, well there were a group of civilians who were very active on women's issues and they came over to the law school where I was working one day and they said, Sarah, we're trying to tell people about contraception. They say to us, where could we get an abortion? We've tried to research that information so we can tell them, and of course, New York was the basic answer. And we were trying to raise money for women to get to New York. And then they said, we really think we need to file a lawsuit to try to change the law so we don't have to keep going through all of this. And they said, would you think about filing a case on this? And I said, well I really think you ought to get somebody with experience because at that point I had done uncontested divorces, wills for people with no money, and one adoption for my uncle. That was it. But they said well how much would you charge us, and I said oh I'd do it for free. And they said, you are our lawyer. And that's how I got to do it.

I decided I wasn't sure I was going to win, so I ran for the Legislature and was the first woman elected from Austin Travis County to be in the State House of Representatives. And I was at the Capital on January 22, 1973, and the phone rang - it was the New York Times. And they said to my assistant, Ann Richards, she was my administrative assistant, they said does Sarah have a comment today, or does Ms. Weddington have a comment today about Roe v. Wade, and Anne said, should she? And the reporter said it was decided today. And Ann said, how was it decided? And they said, she won it 7-2. So that day, it never occurred to me that 46 years later, I would be a part of this very important thing with Liz and Debra and so many of you, trying to re-install the momentum of Roe v. Wade and doing it very well.

Governor Cuomo, I am deeply grateful to you. I went in your office as you know to say a few words before we came in here, and I put my speech and my purse and my copy of Roe v. Wade on your desk. I haven't seen it since. So somebody's got it and I'll find it before I go back to Texas. But it is with a sincere gratitude that I say to New York thank you for what you've done for women. Thanks to all of you as advocates who've kept this going, thanks to those of you who are the legislators that made it happen. And I can't wait to see the Governor sign it. Thank you.

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