A proposed amendment to New York's constitution that would enshrine abortion rights and gender equality has hit a roadblock as the final legislative session's days wind down.
Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday said they wanted to continue negotiating the language in the amendment, but acknowledged time is runnig out on scheduled days to remain in Albany. State lawmakers are set to leave the Capitol on Thursday for the remainder of the year.
State Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas in an interview said the talks surrounding the amendment were at "an impasse."
"I'm ever an optimist, I'll continue to fight and advocate for it," she said. "We only have another day left here in session, but we don't know yet if we'll get it passed."
The Democratic-controlled Legislature is expected to finalize several measures meant to ensure access to abortion services in New York, including new legal protections for providers and women who live in states where abortion could be outlawed due to "trigger" laws that would take effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul last month moved to enact several abortion-related provisions after a leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling overturned the landmark decision.
"It impacts all of us, but in New York, we are passing bold legislation to ensure access in this state," Gonzalez-Rojas said.
But the constitutional amendment has been a key issue for Hochul as she seeks to run for a full term. She has touted the proposal in a TV ad while pointing to her support for abortion rights.
At issue have been religious concerns among some state lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins in a news conference did not rule out some sort of an agreement by Thursday.
"Obviously, religion is one of the categories that's already protected and it is said if we just add more categories, it doesn't give as much protection as we would want to give," she said.
Abortion opponents, meanwhile, call the end-of-session focus on the issue disappointing.
"We really want to focus on the women in New York, lifting them up, walking with women in need and giving them all the options that are available to them instead of boxing them with abortion being their best and only choice," said Kristen Curran of the New York Catholic Conference.
Curran is also concerned with lawmakers wanting to study pregnancy centers that can run by abortion opponents.
"We would hope there would be more focus on the good work being done instead of doing away with any other option than just bullying, intimidating and harassing these pro-life pregnancy centers," she said.