Emrick Voted For SB3, An Anti-Choice Bill “That Criminalizes Abortion And Leaves No Exceptions For Victims Of Rape Or Incest.” Emrick voted for SB 3, which, according to a press release from Governor Tom Wolf, "Governor Tom Wolf today denounced the movement of the ultra-conservative Senate Bill 3 in the state House Health Committee. This bill would criminalize a common health procedure for women used by doctors in consultation with their patients. Governor Wolf again vowed to veto the bill. 'Once again, Harrisburg Republicans are moving the most extreme anti-choice legislation in the country that criminalizes abortion and leaves no exceptions for victims of rape or incest,' Governor Wolf said. 'I have met with women and medical professionals and understand how devastating and dangerous this bill would be for patients. That’s why I will veto this attack on women. Put simply, women’s health care decisions should be left up to women and their doctors, not politicians in Harrisburg.'" [SB3, Votes, 12/12/17; Governor Tom Wolf, press release, 12/4/17]
Emerick Voted For SB 106, Which Would Ask Voters To Amend The State Constitution To Declare That There Is No Right To Abortion In Pennsylvania. Emerick voted for SB 106, which according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “The Pennsylvania Senate and House passed a bill Friday that would ask voters to amend the state constitution to declare that there is no right to abortion in Pennsylvania, and no guarantee that taxpayer funding can be used for abortions. […] The bill — Senate bill 106 — must pass the legislature in two sessions and be publicly advertised before it goes to voters. That means next year is the earliest the amendment question could appear on the ballot.” [SB 106, Votes, 7/8/22; Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/8/22]
Emrick: “I Am Adamantly Pro-Life.” According to a press release from Emrick’s website, “I am adamantly pro-life, a position no doubt opposed by some of my constituents, and I welcome critique and opposing views.” [PA State Rep Joe Emrick, 10/30/19]
Emrick: “In Cases Of Rape, Drunkenness, Etc. There Are Exceptions/And Or Options Which Include The Morning After Pill, And Even Abortion Itself, Prior To A Heartbeat Being Detected.” According to a press release from Emrick’s website, “It was my strong-willed, independent, 23-year-old daughter who reminded me the vast majority of pregnancies come about because of people exercising their right to choose…to have unprotected sex. No one has denied them their rights. In cases of rape, drunkenness, etc., there are exceptions and/or options which include the morning after pill, and even abortion itself, prior to a heartbeat being detected. House Bill 1977 allows for both of those actions. I’m not promoting those choices, but I note they are permissible, as evidence of the balance struck by this bill.” [PA State Rep Joe Emrick, 10/30/19]
Emrick Said That If There Was No Abortion There Would Be More Workers In The Workforce, Which Could Have Solved The Labor Crisis. According to a press release from Emrick’s website, “If you think unwanted children are a problem, look at the current labor crisis for which no one has a solution. For the first time in history, we will soon have more people over the age of 65 than we have under age 18. Pennsylvania’s population has flatlined. Only the older demographic is growing, and we are now the fifth-oldest state at 10% above the nation median age. Rest assured, it is not these ‘unwanted’ children who need us, it is we who need them. If not for abortion, we would have roughly a million more desperately needed Pennsylvanians in our workforce today. We are now suffering the consequence of Roe vs. Wade and it is only going to get worse…much worse.” [PA State Rep Joe Emrick, 10/30/19]