The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #13 on Resolution D054 (Review of General Convention Locations to Conform to the Church's Position on Women's Reproductive Rights) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D054)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 80th General Convention, meeting in Baltimore, MD calls upon the leadership of the General Convention to reconsider the relocation of the 81st General Convention currently scheduled to take place in Louisville, KY to a venue that commits to an “equitable access to women’s health care, including women’s reproductive health care",” which we view as “an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her dignity and worth as a human being;” and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church reaffirms its unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions about the termination of pregnancy and to act upon them.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 80th General Convention, meeting in Baltimore, MD calls upon the leadership of the General Convention to  re consider the relocation of the 81st General Convention currently scheduled to take place in Louisville, KY, as well as all future conventions, to a venue that commits to an “equitable access to women’s health care, including women’s reproductive health care",” which we view as “an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her dignity and worth as a human being;” and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church reaffirms its unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions about the termination of pregnancy and to act upon them.

Debate ensued.

Deputy Pomerenk of Colorado requested that the House pray prior to the votes on Resolutions D054 and A001.

Deputy Alexander of West Tennessee moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Add a final Resolved to read, "Resolved, The 80th General Convention direct the Planning Team for the 81st General Convention to a) retain the services of medical experts to supervise and allocate appropriate emergency medical care for women who may not be able to obtain such care in Kentucky; and b) provide for transportation to a state where such services may be available during the 81st General Convention."

Debate ensued on the amendment.

Following an inconclusive voice vote, an electronic vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Gortner of Spokane moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Add a Resolved following the first, to read: "Resolved, That the Episcopal Church understanding that concerns regarding justice extend beyond women to include the breadth of our gender diverse community, affords particular attention to the needs of LBGTQ+ individuals in the consideration and selection of all General Convention sites; and be it further." Also, in the now third Resolved, replace "the termination of pregnancy" with "reproductive healthcare."

Debate ensued on the amendment.

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Debate continued on Resolution D054 as amended. The President called on the Chaplain for prayer.

Following an inconclusive voice vote, an electronic vote was taken on Resolution D054 as amended.

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #170)