How the Most Catholic State with 2 Anti-Choice Legislative Leaders Passed Strong Reproductive Rights

How the Most Catholic State with 2 Anti-Choice Legislative Leaders Passed Strong Reproductive Rights

The legislative power structure of the state of Rhode Island is dominated by Catholic men who are opposed to abortion.

Rhode Island is the most Catholic state in the United States with 42% of the state's population identifying as Catholic.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Providence Thomas Tobin was Tweeting until the last moment in opposition of the reproductive rights legislation. “Praying fervently today that God will enlighten the minds and hearts of R.I. State Senators to vote against the horrible, extreme pro-abortion legislation being considered today,” Tweeted Tobin on Wednesday.

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Both powerful legislative leaders — Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio repeatedly voiced that they are personally opposed to the reproductive rights legislation and voted against it. But, in a state where legislative leaders are all-powerful the passage of the legislation was in questions until the final days.

The roots of the legislative success began in the 1980s when pro-choice pioneers fought off the then, all-powerful Catholic Church. Martin Rosenberg established the 2-1 Coalition in the late 1980s that established pro-choice forces as a political force in Rhode Island.

Rosenberg posted to Facebook Wednesday night, “Ready to watch the RI House of Representatives pass the Reproductive Privacy Act in concurrence!! I’ve been waiting (and working) for this for 32 years …”

Today, the majority of elected officials — all five of the statewide general officers, and the Congressional delegation -- are pro-choice. Two of the delegation, Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Jim Langevin were once anti-choice, but change their positions over the decades.

War of Tee-Shirts

Both pro-choice forces and opponents were out in force on the legislation en masse up till the day of the passage. Literally thousands of protestors on both sides attended legislative hearings and rallies, but in the end the pro-choice forces had the momentum.

After the passage of the legislation by the State Senate, the lobbyist for the Diocese of Providence issued a statement condemning the legislative action.

“The significant expansion of abortion approved today by the Senate is a sad day for Rhode Island, and a tragedy for thousands of defenseless unborn. We applaud the 17 senators who, by voting no, exposed the truth that this is much more than a mere confirmation of the status quo. Rather, the surprisingly close vote reflects the degree to which legislators knew in their private thoughts that this bill significantly expands abortion in Rhode Island. This is deeply disappointing,” Rev. Bernard Healey, Director of the Rhode Island Catholic Conference.

From the beginning, pro-choice forces were better organized, better funded and leveraged the momentum of the threat of the repeal of Roe v. Wade by a U.S. Supreme Court.

Now, a more conservative United States Supreme Court fresh with two appointees by Donald Trump, is expected to consider a number of cases that may impact Roe v. Wade — the federal precedent that legalized abortion in the United States.

Champions of the Cause

Strategically, Southside State Representative Anastasia Williams was the x-factor in the House. A Mattiello loyalist, she has leverage and she used it.  A split by Williams from Mattiello to the progressive dissidents would be a blow to Mattiello’s coalition.

“I commend the General Assembly for sending a clear message today that we as a state will not cower in the face of threats at the national level and that Rhode Island will stand strong in protecting women’s access to critical reproductive services.  Due to this bill, Rhode Island will remain resolute in ensuring a woman’s privacy in making her own health care decisions and we will not turn back the clock on decades of progress for female reproductive health equality,” said Williams in a statement after the vote.

Williams on the House side and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) were the critical forces to push the legislation as they both have strong relationships with their respective leaders Mattiello and Ruggerio.

Remaining Threat

Minutes after the passage, Raimondo signed the bill. As GoLocal first reported, Catholic groups filed a motion in Superior Court in Providence on Wednesday trying to block the transmission of the legislation from the legislature to the Governor. The group also filed a challenge to the legislation on constitutional issues.

While the motion for a Temporary Restraining Order was denied by the Court on Wednesday, lawyer Diane Magee tells GoLocal that a broader Constitutional question is still before the Court.

"The lawsuit is a complex constitutional challenge relying on not just the specific language prohibiting the grant or securing of an abortion right in Rhode Island, but also relies on the fact that in 2005 the citizens of Rhode Island voted to repeal the plenary powers of the legislature. And it's those powers on which they're relying to pass this bill without taking it to the people for a vote as is required under our constitution," said Magee in an email to GoLocal.

"What was denied today, was a temporary restraining order to stop the transmission of the bill to the governor for her signature. We expected that that motion would be denied. However, we still have an action for preliminary injunction, permanent injunction, and the main complaint regarding the Constitutional challenge that is very much alive. We will be asking the court to certify the Constitutional question directly to the Rhode Island Supreme Court who is the final arbiter of what the Rhode Island Constitution mandates," Magee added.