Klunk Issues Statement on Wolf’s Veto of Down Syndrome Protection Bill

November 22, 2019

HARRISBURG – In response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of the Down Syndrome Protection bill, House Bill 321, Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), the author of the legislation, issued the following statement:

“I am incredibly disheartened by Gov. Wolf ‘s veto of the Down Syndrome Protection bill. With the stroke of a pen, he not only vetoed an important piece of legislation, but also continued to allow for the termination of unborn babies strictly because they have a Down syndrome diagnosis.

“In his veto message, Wolf said, ‘There is no evidence that this bill is needed in Pennsylvania.’ I beg to differ. When I looked at all the people with Down syndrome who advocated for this bill, I saw the evidence of why this bill should be law in our Commonwealth. I saw the love and value they add to their families and to the fabric of our communities. And, I saw the need to protect these individuals from needless death simply because they have an extra chromone.

“I’m sure almost everyone knows someone who is living a life with Down syndrome. Imagine a family picture if that person with Down syndrome wasn’t there. There would be a blank space. Imagine family dinners where one less person is around table. There would be one less place setting, an empty seat. One less person full of life and promise in this world all because that child would be born with Down syndrome.

“Allowing babies to be aborted solely because they have a diagnosis of Down syndrome is a return to a dark hour of human history. We must stand with these perfectly imperfect individuals and support their right to live, their right to love and to spread happiness in this world. I will continue to fight for the voiceless and ensure they are afforded the same chance at life as everyone else.”

Representative Kate A. Klunk
169th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepKlunk.com / Facebook.com/RepKlunk