Senate abortion override unclear
The abortion limits bill, H854, won't become law till the Senate joins the House in overriding the governor's veto. The Senate GOP needs one more vote.
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House Republicans were rejoicing Tuesday as they successfully overrode Perdue's veto of H854, a bill that would require a 24-hour waiting period, ultrasound and fetal heartbeat observance, and state-mandated counseling before a woman can get an abortion in North Carolina.
But there's one more step before H854 becomes law. The Senate has to vote to override the veto, too.
Senate Republicans hold 31 seats, but only 29 voted for the bill its first time through. They need 30 to override.
Senator Stan Bingham, R-Davidson, voted no on the bill last month. "I really don't intend on changing my position," he said today. "I still feel strongly it's not a decision government should be involved in."
Bingham said he hasn't been pressured yet by Senate GOP leadership to change his vote. "But that's certainly a possibility," he added.
He expects the Senate will take it up Thursday. "Hopefully, I can either vote against it or walk," he said.
That leaves Senator Richard Stevens, R-Wake, who "walked" (failed to vote either way) on H854 when it came through the Senate the first time. He has not yet responded to a request for comment on his position.
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