Inslee Pushes For Abortion Amendment To Washington's Constitution

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is calling lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to come together for an amendment enshrining legal access to abortions in the state constitution.

Inslee was one of many local leaders who expressed outrage Friday as the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, the landmark abortion case that had protected a woman's right to choice for more than 50 years. Following that decision, Inslee held a news conference Saturday in which he announced a renewed push for a state constitutional amendment, one that would both protect abortion rights locally, and better protect those who flee from other states to Washington to receive reproductive health care.

Washington voters have historically approved of abortions, first in a 1970 statewide ballot referendum, and again in a 1991 ballot measure. But, the governor warned, anti-abortion lawmakers could still take away the right to choice if given a chance.

"In the past six years, Republicans have introduced 40 bills to take away and inhibit a woman's right of choice," Inslee said. "Because of this Republican assault on women's rights in this state, without a constitutional amendment to solidify this right under our state's constitution, we are one Republican majority from losing the right of choice in the state of Washington."

An amendment to the constitution would make it significantly harder to revoke the right to choose. However, at present a constitutional amendment would also require the cooperation of at least a handful of Republican state senators, many of whom have historically opposed abortion.

"We will have a constitutional amendment, and I can't guarantee that it'll pass, but if we elect enough people who believe in the right of choice it will, and that's what we are calling for here," Inslee said.

The governor also promised a forthcoming executive order directing the Washington State Patrol not to cooperate with investigations from other states trying to capture or punish women who travel to Washington for abortions or reproductive health care. Inslee said he will request legislation from state senators to prevent all Washington law enforcement agencies from engaging in abortion investigations.

"We will make Washington state a sanctuary state for the right of choice," Inslee said. "We will use every resource under the law to defend the rights to choice, to defend privacy rights, and to defend the safety of citizens, including those who come from other states."

Protecting those who come to Washington for abortion access is especially pertinent in Washington, thanks to neighboring Idaho. Idaho passed a trigger law in 2020, outlawing abortion the second Roe V. Wade was overturned. A Guttmacher Institute study found that Idaho's abortion ban would help fuel a 385 percent increase in patients seeking an abortion in Washington, as people seeking to end their pregnancies cross the border for assistance.

"There will be more demand on Washington providers, and we will take all steps necessary to make sure those services are provided to other American women who seek this service in Washington state," Inslee said.