'Extremist' and 'barbaric': Massachusetts Democrats break ranks over new abortion law

A new Massachusetts law eliminating gestational limits on abortion has drawn backlash from conservatives and sparked a rift among state Democrats.

The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act passed 119-33 in the state House of Representatives on July 22, largely along party lines. The bill, signed into law this week by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, removes statutory restrictions on abortions past 24 weeks, allowing physicians to perform the procedure later in pregnancy based on their professional medical judgment and grants greater protection from legal penalties.

Nine House Democrats voted against the legislation alongside Republicans. Speaking to Fox News Digital, several dissenting lawmakers cited ethical and legal concerns, and said the bill does not align with the majority of their constituents' opinions on abortion.

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"This new law represents an extremist and dangerous position," State Rep. Jeffrey Turco of Winthrop told Fox News Digital. "To be clear, it allows abortion anytime, unrestricted, and in many cases, publicly funded until the moment of birth."

Turco said the bill was "rushed through the legislative process in two weeks, without an opportunity for the public to weigh in," and was "out of step with the views of the average person in Massachusetts."

"The new law is barbaric," he added.

State Rep. Chris Markey of Dartmouth warned that the bill creates a troubling precedent.

"I am deeply disappointed in the passage of this bill. This bill creates a very slippery slope," Markey told Fox News Digital. "I believe this law puts doctors in a very difficult ethical dilemma, as well as conflicts with long-standing criminal case law. This law, I believe, is not consistent with the beliefs of the vast majority of my constituents. While many are pro-choice, you can still be pro-choice and see this law as going beyond the norms of acceptability."

State Rep. Dennis Gallagher, a Democrat representing the 8th Plymouth District, told Fox News Digital he struggled with his decision but concluded that changes to the existing abortion law were unnecessary. While affirming his view that abortion should remain a decision between a woman and her doctor, he argued there should be greater emphasis on alternatives such as adoption when the mother's health is not at risk.

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Gallagher emphasized that prior state law already permitted abortions after 24 weeks to protect the health of the mother or in cases of severe fetal anomalies.

"At that point in a pregnancy, if the health of the mother is fine and the baby's health is fine, I just think alternatives should be encouraged for that baby," he told Fox News Digital. "So that's what I struggled with. But it should always be between a woman and their doctor."

State Rep. Alan Silvia, a pro-life Democrat from Bristol, said he strongly opposes expanding abortion in Massachusetts.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Silvia questioned why lawmakers are moving to protect endangered wildlife while offering less protection to unborn children.

"My position has been consistent: I believe in protecting human life, including the life of the unborn," he said. "We go to extraordinary lengths as a society to protect vulnerable life, saving whales and saving strays, yet when it comes to an unborn child, that same sense of protection too often seems to disappear." 

"As a legislator, I cannot support policies that continue to expand abortion, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy," Silvia continued. "This is not an issue I take lightly, and I understand there are deeply held views on both sides, but I will continue to stand by my convictions and vote accordingly."

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Healey defended the new law at the bill's passage, saying it is intended to ensure families facing medical complications late in pregnancy can abort their babies in Massachusetts rather than having to travel out of state.

Healey's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.