Planned Parenthood, ACLU top donors to Vermont campaign to make abortion a constitutional ‘right’

Earlier this year, the Vermont House of Representatives voted in favor of Proposition 5, which would make abortion a right within the state constitution. The years-long effort will likely head to the ballot for voters to decide on in November — and Planned Parenthood is the top donor to the Proposition 5 campaign.

According to Ballotpedia, Vermont for Reproductive Liberty, the campaign behind Proposition 5, released its campaign finance filings on March 15. The top donors were Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the ACLU, and Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund. Planned Parenthood’s combined donations equaled nearly $71,000.

Lucy Leriche, vice president of Vermont Public Policy at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, previously told the Washington Post that she wants Vermont to be a “model” for the rest of the country. “In states all over the country, politicians are moving to take away reproductive rights, specifically abortion rights, and we could be an example of another way,” she said, adding, “A lot of people I would consider strong supporters of reproductive rights said, ‘This is Vermont; nothing bad is going to happen here.’ Now there are people coming to me, saying, ‘Wow … I can’t believe the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe.’”

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Though Planned Parenthood is claiming abortion must be protected, even in Vermont, it’s necessary to point out that, as it is, Vermont does not currently have any restrictions on abortion. And if Roe v. Wade were to actually be overturned, it would not make abortion illegal in Vermont or any state. State laws regarding abortion would remain in place if Roe is overturned, so while pro-life states, like Texas, might outlaw abortion, it would still remain legal in Vermont.

Proposition 5 would ensure that no abortion restrictions are ever enacted in the state, throughout all nine months of pregnancy. It was previously approved by the Senate in 2019, and with the House having approved it as well, Republican Gov. Phil Scott will have to give approval for the proposition to appear on the ballot, which he is expected to do. It is also expected that Vermonters will vote in favor of the amendment, putting countless preborn lives at risk indefinitely.

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