LOUISIANA: Legislature Passes “Heartbeat” Abortion Ban, No Exceptions, Dem Gov Promises To Sign Bill

May 29, 2019 Christianists, Civil Rights

Louisiana lawmakers passed an abortion ban on a 79 – 23 vote Wednesday that would prohibit women from terminating a pregnancy once a fetal heartbeat has been detected.

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards [photo] has indicated that he would break with his party and sign the ban if it crosses his desk. The Senate already approved the bill with amendments that include language to require an ultrasound and clarified that abortion did not include medically necessary terminations.

The House rejected an amendment Wednesday that would have provided an exception to the bill for women and girls who had been impregnated through rape or incest. Edwards, who was elected governor in 2015, told reporters earlier this month that he ran as a pro-life candidate.

BREAKING: Louisiana just passed an extreme ban on abortion — a ban before most people even know they’re pregnant. These bans have nothing to do with people’s health care and everything to do with controlling our bodies. Shameful. #StopTheBans https://t.co/KT6jApLvXD

— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) May 29, 2019