abortion access

Following an hours-long debate, the New Mexico House passed a bill to protect those who provide or seek abortions or gender-affirming care in the state. the measure would enshrine into law safeguards for out-of-state patients and clinicians issued by executive order after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

House Bill 7, sponsored by five Democratic legislators, passed the House on Tuesday night after about three hours of debate.

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján and Representative Melanie Stansbury were in Santa Fe Tuesday to address legislators. They both highlighted how they have helped the state at the federal level and urged lawmakers to work on those same issues at home.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke before a capacity crowd at the University of New Mexico Tuesday on protecting access to reproductive rights. She was joined by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, running for reelection in a race where abortion access has been a key issue.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham praised President Biden’s pledge this week to codify abortion protections in federal law if the Democrats secure a majority in congress. She characterized the move as a commitment to “echo” the work being done here in New Mexico, and tells KUNM she "absolutely" would pursue codifying the right to an abortion in state law if reelected.

With the right to an abortion now up to each state, and numerous surrounding states imposing total or partial bans, New Mexico has become a safe harbor in the Southwest for those seeking and providing abortion care. The issue has become a significant one in the race for governor.

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Republican candidate for governor Mark Ronchetti called for “measured dialogue on the issue of abortion” to reach “policies that are more mainstream and reflect our shared values.” The Democratic Party of New Mexico launched a website Wednesday calling the candidate’s recent messaging on the issue an inauthentic shift to a more moderate stance. Ronchetti's campaign denies that there has even been a shift in the candidate's position.

As advocates in the city continue to call for justice after a SWAT standoff last week resulted in a boy’s death, the Albuquerque Police Department is facing a huge backlog of investigations into officers using force and violence, according to a federal monitor overseeing police reform.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made it clear in her State of the State address today that she wants abortion to remain an option for New Mexico women.The…