2 El Paso leaders propose policy for city funds not be used to investigate abortions

EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — Representatives Alexandra Annello and Henry Rivera cosponsored the item for the July 5 meeting.

The item would direct the city manager and city attorney to create a policy and/or ordinance where:

• Taxpayer dollars will not be used frivolously for programs or efforts to criminalize women/individuals who seek an abortion.
• City funds will not be used to solicit, catalog, report, or investigate reports of abortion.
• Police should make investigating abortion their lowest priority

Annello and Rivera said the item is meant to prevent the creation of any information related to an individual seeking an abortion that could be prosecuted.

"The Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade is extremely disappointing. In a time where we should be empowering women and fighting for equal rights, five Supreme Court Justices decided to move our country backwards," said City Representative Henry Rivera, District 7. "Women in America had their freedom stripped from them and we must continue to advocate for women's rights and equality. "Representative Annello and I aim to stand in solidarity with women, protect pregnant women's rights and the choices they make about their bodies, and prohibit discrimination. To the women in our community and across the nation, we hear you, we stand by you and we will continue to fight for you," said Rivera.

"Enforcing pregnancy should not be anywhere near the duties of the City of El Paso or the El Paso Police Department. It only makes sense that with the recent passage of the City's Women's Commission the city council takes additional steps to respect the privacy of a woman," said Annello.

A “City of El Paso Women’s Commission" was approved in May by some council members.

The commission will be made up of women in the community appointed by members of the city council and will give women in El Paso a unified voice for healthcare issues, advance equality and equity for women, and address the health and economic disparities, according to the city.

The city council is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.