SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) and Legislative Women’s Caucus Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statements about SB 233, a bill that would authorize Arizona providers to perform abortion care in California for Arizona patients:

Pro Tem McGuire:

“While the State of Arizona is hell-bent on handcuffing women to a draconian, Civil War-era law – California remains a beacon of hope for reproductive freedom and healthcare access for all. We took another critical step down that path today in introducing SB 233, which would allow licensed Arizona healthcare providers to temporarily perform abortion care in California for Arizona patients without fear of retribution. We deeply appreciate the continued work and leadership of Senator Skinner, Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, and the Legislative Women’s Caucus, along with Governor Newsom – in standing strong to ensure the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare services remain accessible for all who seek care, no matter where they live. In the Golden State, we will continue to stand strong for women across this nation, and we won’t stop fighting for a woman’s right to determine what happens to her own body.”

Senator Skinner:

“Today, we fight back against the Arizona Supreme Court's action that resurrected a dead law passed in 1864 when women didn’t even have the right to vote. By introducing SB 233, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus stands in solidarity with our Arizona sisters so they do not have to carry an unplanned, unwanted or health-endangering pregnancy, and we ensure that Arizona doctors can come to California to provide essential healthcare without fear of spending 2 to 5 years in prison.”

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Mike McGuire is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. He represents the North Coast of California, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties. Website of Senate Leader McGuire: https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/ 

Sen. Nancy Skinner represents the 9th Senate District and is chair of the Senate Housing Committee and the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.