Senate Leader Atkins Praises Senate Passage of SCA 10: Abortion, Contraception Are Health Care

June 20, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following the California State Senate passing SCA 10, a constitutional amendment to explicitly provide for the fundamental constitutional right to abortion and contraception, by a 29-7 vote today:

“We are on the precipice of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could topple Roe v. Wade and erode the right to abortion that was secured nearly 50 years ago—altering reproductive freedom in America as we know it. SCA 10 would make it undeniably clear that in California, abortion and contraception are health care and are a private matter between a patient and their medical provider. I have seen what is at stake when people don’t have access to abortion—the real lives and real families that are at risk. In California, we are resolute in our determination to protect women and families, no matter who happens to be wielding power at the federal level. I’m grateful to my 30 Democratic Senate colleagues, Speaker Rendon, and our Assembly colleagues who have put their full support behind this critical constitutional amendment.”

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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins