Senate Panel OKs Resolution Urging Abortion Pill Tests
A state Senate committee on Tuesday approved a watered-down resolution urging California to become a test site for use of the French abortion pill RU-486--but it took a courtesy “yes” vote from a senator who is opposed to abortions to do it.
A 5-0 vote sent the measure by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) from the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to the Appropriations Committee. It passed the Assembly by a 46-22 vote.
Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) provided the crucial fifth vote on the nine-member upper house panel as a favor to Sen. Charles M. Calderon (D-Whittier), who was absent because of illness. With three other members also absent, it took yes votes from all five senators present to pass the measure.
In return for his vote, Deddeh succeeded in amending the resolution to remove emphasis placed on RU-486 testing for abortion purposes. Instead the resolution emphasizes its potential usefulness in the treatment of other major diseases.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
