Durham commissioner says abortion access saved her life

On Wednesday night, lawmakers pushing for a new 12-week abortion ban are happy with what is expected to happen as the proposal progresses.

As Republicans organized their vote, Democrats began organizing their plan to fight back, including those who have personal experience with abortion.

For many individuals like Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam, the issue hits close to home. Allam said her choice to get the procedure done wasn't easy.

Allam recalls sitting in a doctor's office two years ago when she and her husband decided to have an abortion.

"You know, me and my husband had been trying to have a baby and bring a baby into this world, and we've been going through fertility treatment," said Allam. "So it's not a decision we took lightly, but it's one that saved my life and made it possible for me to get pregnant."

Allam says it's a choice many women in North Carolina won't have if Senate Bill 20 becomes law.

"What's really unfortunate about this is the way they're sneaking it into another bill and giving legislators and the public less than 24 hours before it's even voted on to be able to read and understand the 46 pages of this bill," said Allam.

She and others are joining a chorus of abortion advocates who are taking this bill as a rallying point.

Allam says pressing lawmakers and voting matters more than ever.

"Where we got from here is we continue to speak up and have our voices heard," said Allam.

She says even if Senate Bill 20 passes, her own abortion would not have been affected and believes that's a "luxury" that other women could soon lose.

The bill is expected to go before the Senate on Thursday.