The North Carolina House Health Care Committee is debating a controversial abortion measure Tuesday which, in part, would require abortion centers to comply to the same standards as ambulatory surgery centers — a standard that only one of the state’s five centers currently meets, according to NBC News.
Pro-choice advocates argue that this is simply a political tactic that would force abortion clinics to close, while anti-abortion proponents say this bill would ensure the safety of women.
The bill already passed the state Senate, but has received national backlash after critics say it was approved just before the July 4 holiday with minimal public input. The House committee must now decide whether it wants to push forward the Senate bill, or create legislation of its own.
On Monday, 2,000 pro-choice advocates gathered in the state capital of Raleigh to protest against the bill. Sixty-four people were arrested, according to NBC News. This is the 10th straight week advocates have participated in “Moral Monday” protests.
Watch a livestream of the House hearing below:
