McCrory Said The Judge Upheld The “Heart” Of The 2011 Abortion Law, Giving Patients “Access To Important Information And Ample Time Needed To Make Decisions.” According to the News & Observer, “Gov. Pat McCrory opposes appealing a federal judge's ruling that struck down the requirement that women seeking abortions be shown a narrated ultrasound just before having the procedure, his office said Saturday. McCrory thinks appealing the ruling would be expensive and is satisfied that the bulk of the 2011 abortion law was upheld by the judge. ‘The heart of the legislation remains intact, and patients will still receive access to important information and ample time needed to make decisions,’ McCrory is quoted as saying in the statement his office released. ‘After extensive review, I do not believe costly and drawn out litigation should be continued concerning only one provision that was not upheld by the court.’” [News & Observer, 1/25/14]
McCrory Opposed Appealing The Federal Court Decision Striking The State’s Ultrasound Law, Claiming It Was Not Worth The Cost. According to Legal Monitor Worldwide, “North Carolina's attorney general said Friday he's decided to appeal a federal court ruling that struck down part of a law requiring abortion providers to describe an ultrasound to women seeking to terminate a pregnancy. […] McCrory, governor since early 2013, had said recently he didn't think it was worth the cost to seek an appeal. He cited other parts of the law that are still enforceable, including provisions that women receive information about the likely stage of fetal development and the availability of abortion alternatives.” [Legal Monitor Worldwide, 2/8/14]
After A Court Ruling Against North Carolina’s Ultrasound Bill Was Allowed To Stand Again, McCrory Said That The State Should Give Up The Fight. According to an opinion by Taylor Batten the Charlotte Observer, “Even Gov. Pat McCrory, who has twice broken his 2012 campaign promise not to sign further abortion restrictions into law, recognized the folly of appealing the ultrasound ruling. After Eagles issued her opinion, McCrory said, ‘I do not believe costly and drawn out litigation should be continued’ on the ultrasound provision.” [Taylor Batten - Charlotte Observer, 6/15/15]
Thom Tillis And Phil Berger Criticized McCrory’s Ultrasound Decision. According to the Associated Press, “House Speaker Thom Tills, R-Mecklenburg, disagreed. ‘It's an important law that saves lives and the ruling should be appealed,’ Tillis, who is running for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, wrote on Twitter on Saturday. He and Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, issued a statement Monday saying they wanted to contest the ruling by Eagles, who was nominated by President Barack Obama. ‘We expect the attorney general to quickly move forward with an appeal of this provision,’ their statement said.” [Associated Press, 1/27/14]
Focus On The Family Criticized McCrory For Not Appealing The Ultrasound Court Decision. According to a Focus on the Family press release obtained via States News Service, “North Carolina Family Policy Council president, John L. Rustin, expressed serious disappointment at the governor's announcement. We respectfully disagree with Gov. McCrory about the importance of the ultrasound provision, which lies at the heart of the Woman's Right to Know Act, Rustin said. The ultrasound requirement helps to ensure that women considering abortion in North Carolina are provided with accurate visual and descriptive information about their unborn child through an ultrasound - information they need before making a life-altering decision that cannot be undone.” [Focus on the Family Press Release, 1/28/14]
McCrory Signed Law Requiring Healthcare Providers Who Perform An Abortion After 16 Weeks To Provide The Ultrasound To State Officials. According to the New York Times, “A state law requiring that doctors who perform an abortion after the 16th week of pregnancy supply an ultrasound to state officials has sparked a new and bitter front in the war over abortion here, with stakes that are both personal and political. Supporters say the purpose of the law is to verify that doctors and clinics are complying with state law, which outlaws abortions after 20 weeks but with an exception made for medical emergencies. Critics say the purpose is to intimidate and provide hurdles to women and doctors. The ultrasound provision, already a requirement in Louisiana and Oklahoma, is part of the continuing pushback against abortion in Republican-controlled states. In highly polarized North Carolina, it has raised the temperature of the abortion debate, which has been used to motivate conservative and liberal voters alike. The law requires doctors who perform an abortion after the 16th week of pregnancy to send the State Department of Health and Human Services the method used to determine the ''probable gestational age'' of the fetus, the measurements used to support the assertion and, most controversially, an ultrasound showing the measurements. The provisions took effect Jan. 1.” [New York Times, 1/11/16]
McCrory Spokesperson Called Abortion Law Common Sense.
According to the New York Times, “In a statement on Thursday, Graham H. Wilson, a spokesman for Mr. McCrory, said the law ''includes common-sense measures aimed at protecting women's health by ensuring medical professionals use proper safety precautions, and this commitment is consistent with the governor's pledge.” [New York Times, 1/11/16]