'Extremist' and 'barbaric': Massachusetts Democrats break ranks over new abortion law

A new Massachusetts law eliminating gestational limits on abortion has drawn backlash from conservatives and sparked a rift among state Democrats.

The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act passed 119-33 in the state House of Representatives on July 22, largely along party lines.

The bill, signed into law this week by Democratic Gov.

Maura Healey, removes statutory restrictions on abortions past 24 weeks, allowing physicians to perform the procedure later in pregnancy based on their professional medical judgment and grants greater protection from legal penalties.

Nine House Democrats voted against the legislation alongside Republicans .

Speaking to Fox News Digital, several dissenting lawmakers cited ethical and legal concerns, and said the bill does not align with the majority of their constituents' opinions on abortion.

LATE-TERM ABORTION TAKES FRONT SEAT AS BLUE STATE RUSHES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS "This new law represents an extremist and dangerous position," State Rep.

Jeffrey Turco of Winthrop told Fox News Digital.

"To be clear, it allows abortion anytime, unrestricted, and in many cases, publicly funded until the moment of birth." Turco said the bill was "rushed through the legislative process in two weeks, without an opportunity for the public to weigh in," and was "out of step with the views of the average person in Massachusetts." " The new law is barbaric," he added.

State Rep.

Chris Markey of Dartmouth warned that the bill creates a troubling precedent.

"I am deeply disappointed in the passage of this bill.

This bill creates a very slippery slope," Markey told Fox News Digital.

"I believe this law puts doctors in a very difficult ethical dilemma, as well as conflicts with long-standing criminal case law .