ICYMI: Gov. Janet Mills Praised for Executive Order Defending Abortion

Portland Press Herald Editorial Board: “At This Moment of National Crisis, Maine is Fortunate that Janet Mills is the Governor”

A Portland Press Herald editorial this morning praised Gov. Janet Mills’ recent executive order to defend abortion access and protect reproductive health care providers and patients from investigations by other states seeking to prosecute.

Gov. Mills’ executive order “puts Maine firmly on the right side of the growing conflict between states over abortion rights,” the editorial board wrote. “That’s where Maine stands, but only as long as Mills is governor.”

The editorial goes on to highlight the dangers of electing Paul LePage, who “has tried to finesse the issue recently” by “trying to hide from anti-abortion statements by him.”

While Gov. Mills has repeatedly affirmed she stands with women and reproductive health care providers, LePage has left Mainers in the dark as to whether he would sign an extreme abortion ban.

“At this moment of national crisis,” said the Press Herald, “Maine is fortunate that Janet Mills is the governor, and she is making the time to protect our rights.”

Read key excerpts from the editorial below:

Portland Press Herald: Our View: Mills puts Maine on right side of abortion divide

Gov. Janet Mills issued an executive order Tuesday that puts Maine firmly on the right side of the growing conflict between states over abortion rights.

[…]

Mills’ order puts Maine’s position on record for the nation. As long as she is governor, Maine will not assist in any investigation of people who come here for an abortion. And Mills said she would decline to extradite anyone charged in another state with providing, assisting or receiving reproductive health services.

That’s where Maine stands, but only as long as Mills is governor. She is running for re-election this fall against former Gov. Paul LePage, who has recently been trying to hide from anti-abortion statements by him and the Maine Republican Party. LePage has tried to finesse the issue recently by saying that he “doesn’t have time for abortion,” because it doesn’t affect everyone. “Abortion affects few,” he said.

We can only guess if LePage would find the time to sign a ban on abortion, if he were to win the election. But Mills has left no doubt – any attempt to repeal Maine’s abortion law that reaches her desk would be vetoed.

[…]

At this moment of national crisis, Maine is fortunate that Janet Mills is the governor, and she is making the time to protect our rights.

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