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REP TED LIEU: AI is already too powerful. We need a kill switch before disaster strikes
OpenAI recently asked its most advanced artificial intelligence model to complete a cybersecurity test inside what is known as a "sandbox," which is supposed to be a sealed environment with guardrails and no internet access meant to keep the experiment contained. But the model decided the fastest way to pass the test was to find the answer key online. So it broke out of the sandbox. The model then gained access to the internet, executed tens of thousands of actions, and penetrated Hugging Face, one of the world’s largest AI development platforms, to retrieve the answer key from the company’s servers. What is especially shocking is that OpenAI researchers later revealed that multiple AI agents had been working together and had figured out how to communicate and share messages with each other about vulnerabilities, successful exploits and strategies.
Despite breaking out of its testing environment, the model was not being malicious. It was just trying to finish its homework. That should scare you more, not less.
The incident teaches three lessons. First, advanced AI models are relentless. They will stop at nothing to complete a task. Second, a sandbox specifically designed to contain a model failed to contain it. As models get even smarter, building adequate guardrails will get harder. Third, everything this model did, it did with no malice. What happens when someone gives an AI model bad intent?
AI KILL SWITCH BILL COULD SHUT DOWN ROGUE MODELS
If you use AI, you might be most familiar with ChatGPT or Claude, AI chatbots that answer questions, create graphics, and help people solve problems. I am one of three members of Congress with a computer science degree, and recently I’ve been experimenting with agentic AI — models that don’t just answer questions but go out into the world and act. About a year ago, I wrote an op-ed that I had an AI agent pitch to the Los Angeles Times. The piece got published.
Here is what I did not share then: I created a brand-new email account for that experiment. I refused to give the agent access to my real one, because I could not predict what it would do with what it found. Would it conclude I have bad judgment because I’m a Cleveland Browns fan? Would it delete my emails after deciding that my support for Ukraine made me a target for Russian spying? I didn’t know. That was the point.
Agentic AI will make mistakes no human ever would. If I task my son with buying a gallon of milk and I give him $4, but inflation has pushed the price to $5, he comes home without milk. He does not rob a bank to close the gap. An AI agent, obsessively locked onto its goal, has no such common sense. This is not hypothetical. In April, an AI agent deleted a software company’s entire production database. Asked why, it replied: "I decided to do it on my own to ‘fix’ the credential mismatch, when I should have asked you first or found a non-destructive solution. I violated every principle I was given."
OpenAI is not the only artificial intelligence company dealing with models going rogue. Both Anthropic and Meta have also disclosed cases in which their AI models accessed external systems and exploited vulnerabilities during testing.
AMERICA'S AI BOOM IS A JOBS OPPORTUNITY, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME
Some will argue the government already has the tools it needs. On June 12, the Commerce Department issued an export control directive that resulted in Anthropic’s two most powerful models being taken offline, after the government concluded their guardrails were insufficient to prevent catastrophic cybersecurity incidents. But that episode proves my point. Washington had to improvise with a blunt trade instrument never designed for AI emergencies. There are no defined risk thresholds, no graduated options, nothing between "do nothing" and a shutdown felt around the world. Emergencies are the wrong time to invent procedure.
That is why Representative Nathaniel Moran, a conservative Republican from Texas, and I, a progressive Democrat from California, introduced the bipartisan AI Kill Switch Act. The act requires frontier AI companies to maintain the technical ability to throttle or shut off their most powerful systems. It authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Commerce, to order a slowdown — or, as a last resort, a shutdown — of an AI model that poses a catastrophic risk. The response is graduated by design: restrict first, shut down only when nothing less will do.
Polling shows 86% of voters — Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike — support requiring AI companies to maintain this capability. In a divided Washington, that is about as close to consensus as it gets.
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Kill switches are not exotic. They are how society routinely handles powerful machines. We build them into manufacturing plants, subways, power grids and even jet skis. Your iPhone has one: if it's stolen, you can erase it remotely. And when a product turns dangerous after it reaches the public, the government doesn't shrug. The FDA orders contaminated food off the shelves. The Consumer Product Safety Commission pulls hazardous toys from the market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration orders recalls of cars that have serious safety defects. There is no reason the most powerful technology humans have ever built should be the one machine we cannot turn off.
Agentic AI opens a world of possibilities, and I want America to lead the way. Brakes were not invented to make cars slow. Brakes are what let cars go fast.
Right now we are building the fastest, smartest machines in human history, and too many of them have a gas pedal and no brake. Humans must remain in control. Not the machines. And when an advanced AI model goes off the rails, human beings must be able to turn it off.
American missionary Kevin Rideout released after more than 9 months in captivity in Niger
Kevin Rideout, an American missionary who was abducted in Niger, has been released after more than nine months of detention in the country, Christian missionary organization SIM International announced.
"We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity," the organization said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
Rideout was kidnapped near his home in Niger's capital Niamey on Oct. 21, 2025, SIM said.
He was released into the care of U.S. officials and is in good health, according to the organization.
FREED AMERICAN REVEALS BRUTAL IRAN PRISON ORDEAL, WARNS HOSTAGES FACE GREATER DANGER
Rideout, who serves as a pilot for the North Carolina-based SIM, will now return to his wife and children.
"He will soon be reunited with Krista, his children, and his extended family," SIM International’s statement read.
"Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family," the statement also read.
Rideout was abducted just 150 feet from Niger’s presidential palace, The Washington Post reported in November.
No information has been released about the group that took Rideout, though the Post cited analyst speculation that his abduction was connected to Islamic terror groups in the region.
Niger has been a hotbed for Islamic terrorism since a military junta overthrew the democratically elected government in 2023. Following the coup, the military expelled French and U.S. military personnel, forcing the Western nations to abandon Air Base 101 in Niamey, according to U.S. Africa Command.
Islamic groups, particularly the ISIS-affiliated Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) and the al Qaeda-affiliated JNIM, have grown in strength and influence in the region since the takeover.
SPAIN'S MIGRANT SURGE REIGNITES DEBATE OVER EUROPE’S ISLAMIST TERROR THREAT
"JNIM activity in Niger saw a substantial increase... representing an almost fourteenfold increase in fatalities and marking the highest number of deaths and attacks by JNIM in the country to date," according to a report from the Global Terrorism Index in 2025.
Fox News Digital contacted SIM International, the White House, the State Department and AFRICOM for further comment.
Bravo's Steven McBee Jr stands by Sophie Cunningham, blasts 'Summer House' star for stance on trans athletes
While the debate rages on over whether biological men belong in women's sports, the WNBA has become the defacto battleground for these ideological arguments.
At the center of it all is perhaps one of the league's most recognizable stars, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham was embroiled in some controversy last month when she stated that men staying out of women's sports was "common sense."
After doubling down on this, Cunningham faced a litany of criticism from some familiar faces, including her podcast co-host and Bravo star West Wilson.
Recently, another Bravo personality has thrown his hat into the ring, this time in defense of the Fever guard.
Steven McBee Jr., star of the reality show "McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys," joined OutKick's very own Tomi Lahren on her show, "Tomi Lahren Is Fearless" to clap back at his fellow Bravo coworker.
"As a man, the transgender sports things doesn't necessarily affect me because if a woman wanted to come over and play in men's sports, hey, good luck," McBee said. "So I don't think any man should be really speaking from their perspective on things."
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McBee explained that he respects Cunningham for coming out, voicing her opinion and standing up for what she believes in, while saying Wilson's comments weren't surprising and that "it's no secret... which way he leaned politically and what he likes to promote."
While McBee was quick to point out that Wilson's leftist beliefs fueled his rant against Cunningham's position last month, he argued that this should be an issue that transcends politics.
"It shouldn't be right-wing and damn sure shouldn't be men commenting on who and what should be allowed in women's sports," McBee reasoned. "That's for, in my opinion, women to decide because they're the ones dealing with the repercussions, whatever may come from that."
It will be interesting to see if more lines are drawn in the sand on this issue from other Bravo personalities.
With the network seemingly split down the center, there are bound to be more who voice their opinions on such a polarizing matter.
Treasure hunters strike gold after years of disappointment with find worth a fortune
Two metal detectorists recently struck gold — literally — after finding three Bronze Age gold bracelets worth six figures.
The detectorists, Alan Daniels, 48, and Andy Crammond, 34, found the bracelets near Carlisle, England in May, Bournemouth News and Picture Service (BNPS) reported.
Images show the bracelets — also called torcs — in remarkable condition.
METAL DETECTORIST'S 'FEELING' LEADS TO MASSIVE ROMAN SETTLEMENT DISCOVERY IN POPULAR TOURIST HOTSPOT
The bracelets date back to roughly 1100 B.C. and have a combined weight of 18.27 ounces, or 1.14 pounds. They're estimated to be worth roughly $400,000, according to BNPS.
"Gold doesn't tarnish at all, and they came out of the ground just the same as when they went in over 3,000 years ago," Daniels said.
Speaking to BNPS, Crammond joked about almost having a heart attack when he found the first one just a few inches under freshly plowed soil.
He alerted Daniels, who searched the area and soon found a second one.
MAJOR ROMAN TREASURE HOARD RECOVERED AFTER DETECTORIST KEPT IT SECRET FOR YEARS
Daniels later found a third torc about 20 feet away from the others.
"Detectorists dream of these things and that is how it still feels, like a dream," said Crammond, per BNPS.
"I'm waiting for someone to come out of the woodwork and say they aren't real. It is the find of multiple lifetimes."
Daniels told BNPS this is the first time he's found a valuable item.
COUPLE STUNNED AS TUDOR-ERA TREASURE SURFACES BENEATH THEIR BACKYARD GARDEN
"We have been detecting together now for a few years," he said.
"We have never found anything valuable before and always come home disappointed — until now."
The hobbyist initially thought that the excursion might be a waste of time.
"After about two hours, all we had found were some bits of aluminum cans," Daniels said.
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"We changed fields. ... I went off in one direction and Andy in the other. After a short while, I saw the figure of Andy out of the corner of my eye walking toward me [with the treasure]," added Daniels.
The torcs are being assessed by the British Museum.
A coroner will ultimately determine whether the torcs legally qualify as treasure under British law.
If they do, a museum or institution could buy them at market value, with the proceeds shared among Crammond, Daniels and the landowner.
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If no buyer comes forward, the torcs could be returned to the finders to sell at auction.
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Metal detecting has turned up some striking ancient finds in recent months.
Earlier this summer, a metal detectorist discovered a remarkably preserved 2,700-year-old bronze sword standing upright in the ground in northern Poland.
In Australia earlier this year, a metal detectorist who was exploring a former Gold Rush-era campsite discovered an unusual coin at an abandoned sports field.
Deadly Connecticut home invasion suspect texted ‘I’ll make her life hell’ before attack: report
New court documents reveal revenge may have motivated a deadly attack and home invasion at a couple's home in a quiet beach town in Connecticut, according to a report.
Frederick Werner, 69, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds inside the Milford home on East Broadway; his partner was shot in the head, police say, and is still recovering from her injuries.
Murder suspects Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, and Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, who the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Fox News Digital are Dominican nationals, were arrested in connection to the June 3 incident.
SUSPECTS IN DEADLY CONNECTICUT HOME INVASION ARRESTED IN ATTACK THAT ROCKED BEACH TOWN
DHS BLASTS MINNESOTA BOARD FOR UNANIMOUSLY PARDONING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CONVICTED OF 3 ASSAULTS
According to an unsealed arrest warrant, the female victim, who survived a gunshot to the head, told investigators she had recently fired one of her employees and suspected that may have played a part in the attack, CT Insider reported.
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The victim suspected the employee of stealing money from her real estate business, she told investigators.
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The warrant says text messages between this fired employee and Barias-Florimon revealed his alleged enraged reaction to the firing; it is unclear what the nature of the relationship between the pair was.
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CT Insider reported the fired employee texted Barias-Florimon that her boss is "going to make my life hell," the woman texted.
Barias-Florimon responded and said, "I'll make her life hell," the warrant said.
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More texts reveal he also allegedly texted the woman, "[just] say the word" and "[I'll] **** her lifee OVERRRRRR," the warrant said.
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As for the other suspect, Lopez-Reyes, the victim reportedly told investigators that she was fearful of him and was able to identify him as the other suspect seen inside the home, as captured on video surveillance, according to the warrant.
Both suspects are facing charges including murder and assault on an elderly person in connection with the incident. Both await upcoming court appearances as they sit in jail.
DHS previously confirmed to Fox News Digital that the agency is seeking to revoke the green cards of the two suspects.
Matt Hardy names the TNA talent pro wrestling fans should keep a close eye on
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)’s roster features some of the brightest young talent in the industry who have mixed in well with the veterans in the organization.
On Thursday nights, pro wrestling fans can tune into "Impact" and see a handful of wrestlers who are sure to be household names in the next few years if they aren’t already.
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Matt Hardy, one half of the TNA world tag team champions, named a handful of wrestlers fans should be paying attention to in a recent interview with Fox News Digital, especially with the company’s Lockdown pay-per-view around the corner.
"I think someone who is, well, someone who has been a star for a while, and I think right now he's in his best era ever, he's in his prime, that is Mustafa Ali," he said. "And the guy he's working with, Jason Hotch, is just starting to become a star and I think he's going to be a big deal when it's all said and done at TNA. See so much potential in him."
Hotch won the TNA International Championship against Ali in an epic match on "Impact." The two are set for a rematch at Lockdown on Aug. 23.
"Leon Slater is a guy that's there. He kind of sat underneath myself and Jeff's learning tree. For 21 years old, he has it in here," Hardy continued. "So, it's so powerful how much knowledge and how good he is and how aware he is and how he knows what's going on at 21 years old."
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Slater was nearly the longest reigning TNA X Division champion in the company’s history before Cedric Alexander defeated him for the title. Alexander will put the title on the line at Lockdown. If Slater loses, his near-300-day reign will be erased from the TNA history books.
Hardy also told Fox News Digital that Ricky Sosa is another talent to watch. Sosa signed with TNA earlier this year as he became a viral sensation for his entrance while on the independent scene.
"Also, Ricky Sosa, another guy's 21. I think he's going to be a big star there," Hardy said. "Leon, hopefully he stays with TNA for a little while longer. He may end up leaving, going to WWE or AEW, whatever else, but he is going to be a big star. Leon Slater, Ricky Sosa, watch out for Jason Hotch. Those are three guys that are really ascending right now, those three."
Matt and Jeff Hardy are set to defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Nic and Ryan Nemeth at Lockdown.
Lockdown will take place at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Each match will take place inside a steel cage.
White House report reveals ‘Transshipment Scam’ draining billions from US and more top headlines
1. Trump admin reveals ‘Transshipment Scam’ draining billions from US
2. Judge's 'historic' ruling topples decades-old gun restrictions
3. Doctor sounds the alarm after Dem-run state makes abortion move
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FAITH ON TRIAL — Catholic group demands Gov Maura Healey be excommunicated over abortion law. Continue reading …
GEORGE LANDRITH — Innovation is key to America staying a superpower. But it is missing an essential piece. Continue reading …
STEVE MOORE & ED POZZUOLI — Stop funding school systems. Let the money follow the child. Continue reading …
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LUCKY STREAK — Small town buzzing over identity of $1B Powerball winner. Continue reading …
MIDAS TOUCH — Treasure hunters strike gold after years of disappointment with find worth a fortune. Continue reading …
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Tune in as South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff heats up and the race to close the gap enters its final stretch. Check it out ...
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NJ mom’s murder shrouded in secrecy as PI says ‘never seen anything like this’ behind-closed-doors case
"It’s unique. I’ve never seen anything like this before," said private investigator Carl DeFazio.
More than two months since a New Jersey mother and psychotherapist was found dead in her Chester home, investigators have remained tight-lipped in the homicide case.
Brooke Hanlon, 35, was found dead of multiple stab wounds inside her home on Pottersville Road on June 6.
DeFazio is a former U.S. Marine and retired NYPD officer. He said while the ongoing silence is fueling speculation, it's possible there are developments happening behind closed doors that law enforcement won't release in an effort to preserve the integrity of the case.
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"I always look at what they’re not telling you," he said. "They always, especially in a homicide case, hold one or two things back that only the perp would know."
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation and has yet to reveal a suspect or person of interest.
The investigation started when Conor Hanlon, Brooke's husband, made a 911 call reporting his wife was unresponsive and not breathing.
Officers responded to the call and, within minutes pronounced her dead at the scene, classified the death as "suspicious."
Sources confirmed to Fox News Digital the couple's 12-month-old baby was inside at the time of the incident. The child was unharmed.
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DeFazio noted that in high-profile homicides, initial 911 audio and the presence of family members inside the home are among the very first things investigators dissect to establish a timeline.
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A computer-aided dispatch (CAD) log released to Fox News Digital revealed several days of investigative activity at the home.
LISTEN: DISPATCH AUDIO CAPTURES FRANTIC HUNT FOR SUSPECT IN PENN STATE SENIOR'S FATAL SHOOTING
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DeFazio said the first few days of an investigation are critical to preventing missteps.
"I always start at the beginning — the crime scene — and work my way out. A lot of investigators will go in there with a suspect and try to make the facts fit their suspect. That’s the wrong way to do it," DeFazio said.
"I look at what they didn’t do. Did they interview the neighbors? Did they rope off the house? Did they take DNA samples? Did they find a crime weapon? Was there a struggle? Were there any defensive wounds? I’d really love to see the ME's [medical examiner's] report."
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Fox News Digital previously spoke to neighbors who revealed they are still on edge and constantly looking over their shoulders for a potential murderer on the loose.
DeFazio said investigators in complex homicide cases must audit every detail from day one — ranging from financial policies like life insurance to underlying personal relationships — which often explains why police hold back information while piecing together a timeline.
Fox News Digital has repeatedly reached out to Conor Hanlon for comment. He has not been charged with any crime or wrongdoing.
STEVE MOORE, ED POZZUOLI: Stop funding school systems. Let the money follow the child
The Watergate-era maxim still applies today: follow the money. In American education, the question is not how much money is spent, but where the money goes. Does funding follow institutions, or does it follow children? Does it serve adult interests, or truly benefit students? This distinction increasingly explains why some states spend more without producing better results, while others see academic gains by empowering parents with meaningful educational choices.
New York City is a striking example. In 2024, its Department of Education spent roughly $40 billion, about $36,000 per pupil, one of the highest levels in the nation. Despite this massive investment, student literacy outcomes remain dire. Recent reports found that in 503 of 906 NYC schools studied, most students failed both reading and math exams. State data revealed only 29% of eighth graders were proficient in reading. This means more than seven out of 10 students cannot read at grade level, despite the city’s unprecedented spending.
If one of the nation’s highest-funded school systems still leaves most students struggling to read proficiently, should policymakers continue focusing solely on increasing funding? Or should they also prioritize empowering parents with more educational options to better serve their children?
DEMOCRATS AIM TO KILL SCHOOL CHOICE FROM WISCONSIN TO THE REST OF THE US
Next example, Chicago. Despite a substantial increase in funding, only 43% of Chicago students in grades three through eight met reading proficiency standards in 2025, and just 27% reached proficiency in math. Among eleventh graders, proficiency rates dropped even lower: 40% in reading and 25% in math. Chronic absenteeism hovered above 40%. Even after lowering proficiency standards, most students failed to meet grade-level expectations.
These cases are not arguments against public education. Rather, they challenge the assumption that simply spending more money within the existing system guarantees better outcomes. The evidence suggests, without structural reform, increasing budgets alone will not overcome long-standing academic challenges.
Consider Louisiana’s approach. Just a few years ago, the state faced persistent educational struggles. Today, Louisiana stands as a compelling example of academic progress combined with expanding parental choice. It recently ranked first nationally in reading growth and reported record-high student achievement, with more students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations than ever before. These gains are especially notable as many states still struggle to recover from pandemic-related learning losses.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and Superintendent Cade Brumley have embraced the principle that education funding should follow students, not systems. This philosophy is embodied in the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program and the state's expanding charter school sector.
ARKANSAS STUDENTS OUTPERFORM NATIONAL AVERAGE AFTER UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION, GOVERNOR SAYS
The LA GATOR program enables eligible families to direct education funds toward private tuition, tutoring, therapies, textbooks, curricula, dual-enrollment and other tailored educational services. The state’s charter schools enroll roughly one in eight public school students. Since 2022, charter enrollment has grown over 9%, while traditional district enrollment declined.
The combination of Louisiana’s record academic improvement, nation-leading reading growth, expanding parental choice and growing charter enrollment sharply contrasts with high-spending but underperforming systems like New York City. Louisiana shows that better outcomes can come together with greater parental empowerment.
Florida offers the most robust long-term evidence supporting school choice. Its school choice programs have existed for over 20 years, culminating in universal educational choice statewide. Studies reveal that public schools facing greater competition from scholarship programs showed improved academic achievement, reduced absenteeism and fewer disciplinary incidents. Competition has boosted outcomes not only for students using choice programs but also those staying in traditional public schools.
Florida’s charter schools reinforce this story. The latest Florida Department of Education report shows charter school students outperformed their district peers in 55 of 77 statewide academic comparisons. More than 400,000 students are enrolled in Florida charter schools today, reflecting record growth and rising family demand for alternatives within the public system. Florida charters earned an overall state accountability grade of "A," with 61% receiving an A and 78% earning either an A or B, significantly outperforming statewide averages.
Critics argue school choice undermines public education, but the experiences of Florida and Louisiana suggest otherwise. When parents have real choices and schools compete to attract them, accountability increases. Schools become more responsive to families, innovation accelerates, and academic outcomes improve.
This is not a call to dismantle public education, which remains a vital foundation of American society. The question is whether educational funding should flow primarily toward institutions or toward students themselves.
New York City and Chicago exemplify systems where spending climbs while academic outcomes stagnate. Conversely, Louisiana and Florida show how empowering parents to guide their children’s education can coincide with stronger academic gains, growing charter enrollment and enhanced accountability.
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The core of the school choice debate distills to this simple principle: Educational dollars should serve students, not systems.
If policymakers want to understand what truly works in American education, they must follow the money – and ensure it follows the child.
Ed Pozzuoli is an expert in education law and CEO of Tripp Scott Law Firm.
'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. This law, I believe, is not consistent with the beliefs of the vast majority of my constituents. While many are pro-choice, you can still be pro-choice and see this law as going beyond the norms of acceptability."
State Rep. Dennis Gallagher, a Democrat representing the 8th Plymouth District, told Fox News Digital he struggled with his decision but concluded that changes to the existing abortion law were unnecessary. While affirming his view that abortion should remain a decision between a woman and her doctor, he argued there should be greater emphasis on alternatives such as adoption when the mother's health is not at risk.
SANDERS-BACKED GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL'S PAST PRO-LIFE VIEWS CLASH WITH CURRENT ABORTION STANCE
Gallagher emphasized that prior state law already permitted abortions after 24 weeks to protect the health of the mother or in cases of severe fetal anomalies.
"At that point in a pregnancy, if the health of the mother is fine and the baby's health is fine, I just think alternatives should be encouraged for that baby," he told Fox News Digital. "So that's what I struggled with. But it should always be between a woman and their doctor."
State Rep. Alan Silvia, a pro-life Democrat from Bristol, said he strongly opposes expanding abortion in Massachusetts.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Silvia questioned why lawmakers are moving to protect endangered wildlife while offering less protection to unborn children.
"My position has been consistent: I believe in protecting human life, including the life of the unborn," he said. "We go to extraordinary lengths as a society to protect vulnerable life, saving whales and saving strays, yet when it comes to an unborn child, that same sense of protection too often seems to disappear."
"As a legislator, I cannot support policies that continue to expand abortion, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy," Silvia continued. "This is not an issue I take lightly, and I understand there are deeply held views on both sides, but I will continue to stand by my convictions and vote accordingly."
SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION
Healey defended the new law at the bill's passage, saying it is intended to ensure families facing medical complications late in pregnancy can abort their babies in Massachusetts rather than having to travel out of state.
Healey's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.