The Florida House approved a measure on Thursday that forbids abortions beyond six weeks of pregnancy. It simply means the state of Florida had decided to Ban on Abortion if the pregnancy period crosses time for more than six months.
The Sunshine State went from providing a safe place for local women seeking abortions to one of the most restricted states in the nation in little more than a year.
Experts predict that this would significantly reduce access to the procedure in the state, while conservatives will support Gov. Ron DeSantis as a result of this decision. After the Senate cleared the package earlier this month, lawmakers on Thursday adopted the legislation primarily along partisan lines. DeSantis, who has vowed to support the proposal, will now consider it.
Legislators banned the procedure that had been allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy last year, restricting beyond 15 weeks that was slated to take effect, as the Supreme Court was removing the federal protections in Roe v. Wade. Additionally, on Thursday, state lawmakers widened this limitation by making abortions illegal beyond six weeks of pregnancy, with the exception of rape, incest, and life-threatening circumstances.
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The reaction towards the Ban on Abortion.
According to a study issued earlier this week, Florida was one of just a few states where abortions increased in the six months after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, while other states with limitations comparable to those Florida will shortly impose experienced declines.
Democrats had little hope of stopping the limits on Thursday since Republicans now control supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, when only a few years ago it may have appeared unthinkable to impose a ban on abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy. But pro-abortion MPs battled the new limitations, presenting hundreds of amendments, and organizing many demonstrations in the days leading up to Thursday, including one that resulted in the detention of several Democrats.
The abortion measure will play well with anti-abortion activists, who have expressed their dissatisfaction with former President Donald Trump’s statements about abortion being a losing topic for the party. Those who have made their beliefs known – and who will take action – are among the leaders people admire.
Even though most Americans regard limitations on abortions early in pregnancy negatively, DeSantis may find himself in a perilous position in the general election if the measure passes during a presidential primary.
In a statement on Thursday, the White House said that the measure “flies in the face of fundamental freedoms” and is “out of step” with the opinions of Americans.
