Pryor offers amendments to extend protections for Hoosier women, children

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered one amendment on Senate Bill 1 (ss) and several on Senate Bill 2 (ss) today. Amendment #46 on SB 1(ss) would allow two members from each minority caucus to sit on the Prosecutorial Oversight Task Force. Amendment #13 on Senate Bill 2 (ss) would have changed the amount of the Automatic Tax Return from $225 per person to $335, and Amendment #7 pm SB 1 (ss) required Real Alternatives to utilize Indiana dollars to be spent in Indiana at Indiana facilities.  All amendments failed.

“While I'm disappointed that these amendments failed, I can't say I’m surprised,” Pryor said. “Indiana Republicans have done all they can to push through this rushed and dangerous legislation as quickly as possible, and have rejected many of the amendments I and my Democratic House colleagues have offered in our attempt to make this bad bill a little bit better for Hoosiers.

“Making sure that there is better representation from the minority caucuses on the Prosecutorial Oversight Task Force would have created a better balance and ensured that more Hoosiers had their views represented. I'm also disappointed that we weren't able to get a bit more money for Hoosiers. With a $6 billion surplus, we can certainly afford to offer more help to our constituents who are struggling. Instead, House Republicans voted to decrease the refund amount to $200, which is less than what Gov. Eric Holcomb wanted.”

Pryor also spoke in support of Amendment #43 on Senate Bill 1 (ss), proposed by State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) that would have allowed Hoosiers to vote on the issue in November with the wording: “Shall abortion remain legal in Indiana?” The amendment failed by a vote of 32-68.

“It's shameful that House Republicans are too afraid of their constituents to let this important and very personal issue be voted on by the general public. We in the Democratic House Caucus knows that we are standing with the vast majority of Hoosiers as we defend a woman's right to choose her own destiny. Indiana Republicans know they are representing fringe special interests and not the people they were elected to serve.”