In The News

Passidomo told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Tuesday that she supports much of the Texas law but does not its $10,000 incentive for people to sue anyone “participating” in illegal abortions.

“There are provisions in there that don’t make sense,” she said. “We need to do what’s right for Florida.”

Passidomo, who succeeds Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, as Senate President after the 2022 session, was speaking to the newspaper after it reported that she told the Argus Foundation Monday, “I am pro-life but I am not pro-telling on your neighbors.”

“Given the recent opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court, we may pursue greater protections for life in Florida,” said the Naples Republican, who is in line to be Senate President if Republicans maintain a majority in 2022.

The statement came a day after Passidomo made headlines for criticizing portions of the Texas “heartbeat” bill that bars abortions around six weeks into a pregnancy and makes no provisions for rape or incest. She made her remarks in a speech to the Argus Foundation in Sarasota, where she said “I am pro-life but I am not pro-telling on your neighbors,” according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

“I am pro-life but I am not pro telling on your neighbors,” Passidomo told the Argus Foundation crowd gathered at Michael’s on East, adding that she is “uncomfortable with that language” allowing citizen enforcement.

Passidomo said in an interview with the Herald-Tribune after the event that she does favor banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

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