A bill banning most 18-week abortions was signed into law by the Arkansas governor on March 15. Currently, Arkansas already bans 20-week abortions.
The measure signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson would prohibit most abortions, excluding rape- and incest-related pregnancies. Medical emergencies are also excluded. The bill will be in effect 90 days after the Legislature formally adjourns this year’s session.
Bill to ban abortions after 18 weeks passes Utah Legislature https://t.co/EUvgLijo0D pic.twitter.com/FA6sVEI8qW
— FOX 13 News Utah (@fox13) March 14, 2019
“It’s within the second trimester that states are allowed to pass restrictions on, and this, with the science we have today it seems like a very appropriate restriction,” Hutchinson said shortly before the measure passed the House.
A blown transformer, no power, & no microphone made for some memorable moments at the Political Animals Club of LR this afternoon. Didn’t stop me from sharing updates on the legislative session & discussing my plan to transform & create a more efficient state government. #arleg pic.twitter.com/gJl86f25rE
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) March 13, 2019
The Arkansas House approved the bill by an 86-1 vote. On Wednesday the bill was amended to include the exceptions for rape and incest, but the exception for medical emergencies was already included.
Arkansas Is Not Alone
Utah also passed an 18-week ban with exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother, and fatal fetal defects on March 13, sending it to Gov. Gary Herbert (R-UT). He hasn’t said whether he’ll sign it, though he has said he’s generally against abortion.
Public forum happening now for HD125 to fill the empty Texas House seat for NW San Antonio. It’s Democrat Ray Lopez vs Republican Fred Rangel. Topics include fetal heart beat bill, teacher raises, Medicaid expansion, and guns so far. Runoff Election Day is March 12. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/aNIu5tSiPL
— Joey Palacios (@Joeycules) February 27, 2019
Another abortion measure banning the procedure if the only reason is a diagnosis of Down syndrome has also been passed by Utah lawmakers and is on the governor’s desk.
Hutchinson last month signed into law a measure banning abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing the procedure nationwide.
2News’ @JimSpiewak asks governor if he will sign newly passed 18-week abortion ban into law, governor says he hasn’t yet made that decision but “I’m pro-life and so I have a little bit of a bias that way.”
Context: https://t.co/tCp1CZ7k0I— KUTV 2News (@KUTV2News) March 14, 2019
Texas Anti-Abortion Bill
More than 50 Texas lawmakers have signed an anti-abortion law that would ban abortions if the baby’s heartbeat can be detected. It is now closer to possibly being passed in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Public forum happening now for HD125 to fill the empty Texas House seat for NW San Antonio. It’s Democrat Ray Lopez vs Republican Fred Rangel. Topics include fetal heart beat bill, teacher raises, Medicaid expansion, and guns so far. Runoff Election Day is March 12. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/aNIu5tSiPL
— Joey Palacios (@Joeycules) February 27, 2019
The bill would make performing an abortion on a baby who’s heartbeat is detected a felony crime. Heartbeats can be detected in babies after six weeks of pregnancy. Medical emergency abortions are an exception to the bill (pdf).
“It ensures that unborn Texans exhibiting a heartbeat will be protected from an abortion,” said state Rep. Briscoe Cain, who introduced the bill on Feb. 7, in a tweet that day. “Texas should be the safest place in America for the unborn!”
Today, I filed House Bill 1500, the Texas Heartbeat Bill! It ensures that unborn Texans exhibiting a heartbeat will be protected from an abortion. Texas should be the safest place in America for the unborn!https://t.co/0h4jPN5MAB pic.twitter.com/pdRYqmFCPu
— Briscoe Cain (@BriscoeCain) February 7, 2019
Americans appear to have shifted away from supporting abortion, especially younger Americans and Democrats. A Feb. 12–17 Marist Poll found that 47 percent of Americans identified as “pro-life,” meaning generally anti-abortion, while 47 percent identified as “pro-choice,” meaning generally pro-abortion. Just a month before, the poll showed “pro-choice” identification prevailing 55 to 38 percent.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
