The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. June 12, 2019 Vermont and Maine Expand Abortion Rights ---------------------------------------- In reproductive rights news, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed a bill Monday affirming abortion as a "fundamental right." The law prohibits the government from interfering with the decision to get an abortion, and protects access to contraception, sterilization and family planning. A spokesperson for Governor Scott previously said he would not sign the bill passed by Democratic state lawmakers last month-though Vermont law would still have allowed the legislation to go into effect. Meanwhile in Maine, Democratic Governor Janet Mills signed a bill allowing physician assistants and some registered nurses to perform abortions-instead of just doctors-which she says will increase abortion access for Mainers in rural areas. .