New Jersey lawmakers today dealt with another hot button issue driving the conversation this election season.

Abortion four reproductive health care bills were up before the Senate Health Committee that, among other things, would increase funding streams to pay for abortions.

Senior Correspondent Brenda Flanagan was at the hearing today that turned contentious.

This is not about your personal opinion.

It is not about faith.

I am a Catholic woman.

Senator Teresa Ruiz waded into a volatile mix of politics and religion that riled a Senate committee hearing where lawmakers heard emotional testimony on her package of four bills to enhance abortion health care.

Ruiz reference Donald Trump's controversial MAGA rally at Madison Square Garden and warned of potential government intrusion into private health care decisions.

Let me tell you, after this weekend and the rhetoric, fascist remarks that were recently made, no one should walk into a doctor's office with this third party engaging in a conversation that that woman should have specifically and solely with their doctor.

I am unapologetic.

We are not half filled fascist bigots.

Anti-abortion lobbyist Barbara Ames condemned the bills and praised the Trump rally.

Tangling with committee chair Senator Joe Vitale.

If you listened to the rally yesterday, I would.

I am speaking to you or not me?

Yes, I want to rally.

The Democrats in New Jersey are obsessed with abortion.

They cannot get enough of it.

Ruiz.

This bill package would expand reproductive health care in new Jersey.

It creates a fund with $10 million to strengthen access to abortion services for both New Jersey and out-of-state residents.

Create an income tax donation checkbox so folks can donate to the new fund.

Requires medical providers to get written consent before releasing health care records, and requires four year colleges to implement reproductive health care service plans, with 24 hour access for students with Sang and trying to ask the committee stop!

Go back to the beginning and respect human life from the moment of conception.

Our government is tragically failing women by actively promoting more abortions.

Today, I appeal to your sense of decency and humanity and ask that you stop this obsession with abortion.

But health care advocates say new Jersey needs more funding right now.

We know that there is not an influx of donations to meet the need.

Abortion funds are drying up.

The rage donations that happen after Dobbs are not there.

Not there.

Roxann stork is with Cherry Hill Women's Center, the primary abortion provider for South Jersey that sees 4 to 5000 patients each year, 1 in 4 from states where the procedure is restricted or banned.

And there's more people asking for funding help than there are funding available.

So opening up more avenues for that is really, really necessary, right now.

New Jersey's Abortion Access Fund reported a 700% spike in funding requests and patients served since Dobbs, many traveling to new Jersey.

The funding we provide to patients is crucial to maintaining timely, safe and dignified abortion access for those who turn to new Jersey as a safe haven.

Comments from senators on the Health, Human Services and senior Citizens Committee predictably followed party lines.

When you use the term loans, grants and funding, it's about using my money or other people's money.

Who doesn't have the same opinion?

Or maybe have a stronger faith?

And I don't think it's fair.

No one, I mean, no one should dictate what another person should do with their body.

These are gut wrenching, life changing decisions that they make.

And I've not met one person who just takes for granted the fact that they can have access to one.

The package of bills passed mostly along political lines, in a debate that has only been intensified by a very divisive election at the Statehouse in Trenton.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.