“I congratulate Speaker Heastie and the State Assembly for passing common sense legislation that will protect women’s rights. It is deeply disappointing that the Senate Republicans continue to stand against efforts to simply codify the Roe v. Wade decision into New York State law. Unfortunately, my Senate Republican colleagues have taken a step backwards. In 1970, when the issue of reproductive health was first passed in New York, 12 Republican Senators joined a majority of their Democratic colleagues to support this landmark legislation. Today, apparently not one Republican Senator will stand up for full equality for women.”