Congress Should Seek A Vote On Abortion, Not Welfare

Madison, Wisconsin (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic Rep. called on Republicans on Tuesday to ask voters whether the state should ban abortion, rather than asking for input on welfare eligibility. I asked

The move comes hours before the Republican-controlled state Senate is scheduled to vote on an advisory referendum on welfare eligibility on Tuesday. supporters said they wanted to put it to a vote to get public input.

Evers and Democrats say Congress should focus on restoring abortion rights, citing polling data showing a majority of the state’s residents support legal abortion. Democrats on Tuesday planned to try to replace the welfare issue with a vote on state abortion bans, but the Republican-controlled Congress won’t vote for it. will almost certainly refuse to

“Legislative Republicans continue to ignore the will of the people,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Melissa Agard said.

Congress last fall rejected Evers’ move to allow voters to force votes on the state’s 1849 abortion law. Rejected Congressman Evers’ request for a direct vote to repeal the abortion ban, which was later enacted.

Senate Speaker Robin Voss and Senate Majority Leader Devin Lemayieux, both Republicans, co-hosted the non-binding advisory welfare referendum that the Senate was due to take up on Tuesday. At the May 4th election, voters will be asked whether they believe that able-bodied adults without children should actively seek work in order to qualify for welfare benefits.

Evers, who used a record number of vetoes in his first term, rejected a package of bills last year that included limits on unemployment and welfare benefits backed by Republicans.

“At the last session, we voted to provide real solutions to the workforce crisis to get thousands of people off the sidelines and back to work,” Boss said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Governor Evers did nothing.”

Wisconsin law does not allow voters to directly pass legislation, but referendums on issues popular with conservatives are expected during a crucial election to determine ideological control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Voter support for the advisory referendum also gives Republican lawmakers another argument in favor of welfare restrictions.

“Simply put, they are trying to upset voters,” Agard said.

Republicans moved quickly to put their priorities before voters early in the new legislative session.This strategy could boost voter turnout for conservative Supreme Court nominees and avoid vetoes from Evers.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate is expected to give final approval to a constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult for criminal defendants to be released on bail and out of prison. , which will be the final step before it takes place in front of voters on April 4.

Congress also passed an amendment during its last session. State law requires Congress to approve her two consecutive proposed constitutional amendments before voters put them on the ballot for ratification. The governor cannot veto constitutional amendments.

A Republican move to make it harder for violent criminals to get bail gained momentum after Darrell Brooks Jr. drove an SUV into a Waukesha Christmas parade in 2021, killing six people. , posted $1,000 bail in an earlier lawsuit just two days before the Nov. 21 parade. Democrats have expressed concern that the proposed amendment will exacerbate the unfairness of the criminal justice system by making it easier for wealthy defendants to get out of prison.