By Candy Woodall Courier Times State Capital Bureau

Pennsylvania Republicans have worked for decades to restrict abortion access, but Democrats say the majority party is closer than ever to making it happen.

The two parties have long debated the ideological issue, but this time Republicans are willing to sidestep the executive branch and use the constitutional amendment process to pass their agenda. 

“I’m very much concerned,” said Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny. “The chances of this happening are very real, better than 50/50.”

His concern stems from Republicans moving forward with a plan this week to eliminate Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto power and put their anti-abortion proposal on the ballot. 

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If the GOP passes its plan in the General Assembly before November and again in January, the abortion issue could land on voters’ ballots in the 2023 primary, an off-year election with a turnout that typically favors Republicans. 

Democrats in the statehouse have had a solid line of defense in Wolf, a York County Democrat and pro-choice stalwart who has vetoed every piece of anti-abortion legislation that has come to his desk. 

But his second term is about to expire and the 2022 race for governor is wide open. 

More than a dozen Republican candidates are running for governor, and many have already identified as pro-life. 

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the only Democrat in the race, has repeatedly vowed to protect a woman’s right to choose. 

But the Republican-controlled Legislature won’t need a governor’s support or be deterred by a potential veto if their plan passes. 

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