NEW YORK: The Abortion Issue

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But some were obviously influenced. First, the assembly, with several representatives switching sides, passed the repeal bill 79 to 68. Then, following a debate during which an abortion opponent passed out pictures of aborted fetuses and a proponent waved wire coat hangers, which can be used for deadly do-it-yourself abortions, the Senate followed suit. But the repeal effort proved unsuccessful—at least for this year. Rockefeller, who supported the liberal abortion law two years ago, vetoed the repeal bill, and matched the deed with a stinging message. "I do not believe it is right for one group to impose its vision of morality on an entire society," he wrote. Repeal, he said, "would not end abortions, it would only end abortions under safe and supervised medical conditions. Every woman has the right to make her own choice."