Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign the legislation into law. Opponents vowed to sue.
By Emily Wax-Thibodeaux and Emily Wax-Thibodeaux National reporter covering breaking news and social movements. Email Bio Follow Reis Thebault Reis Thebault National and breaking news reporter Email Bio Follow March 29 at 4:00 PM Georgia state legislators on Friday passed one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bills, which would prohibit the termination of a pregnancy after a fetal heartbeat is detected — as early as six weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant.
“Governor Kemp, if you sign this abortion ban into law, we will sue and see you in court to fight this blatant attack on the rights and dignity of Georgia women and families,” the organization said in a statement. Abortion rights advocates demonstrate at the Georgia State Capitol building in downtown Atlanta on March 22, 2019. A fetal “heartbeat bill” cleared the legislature on March 29, 2019, and goes to the Republican governor for his signature. The Georgia Senate passed the bill earlier this month on a party-line vote.“This bill recognizes the fundamental life of the child in the womb is worthy of legal protection,” he said.
Other prominent advocates — including Stacey Abrams, a rising star on the left who unsuccessfully ran for Georgia governor in 2018, and Hollywood activists such as Alyssa Milano — used social media throughout the week to ask legislators to reject the restrictions in Georgia. Labor organizer Ai-jen Poo — along with executives from Coca-Cola, Amazon and 90 other Georgia business leaders — signed a letter saying the measure would “take the state in the wrong direction.
Conservative and religious groups have said they hope a flood of state-led legislation — largely from the South and Midwest — will push the Supreme Court to reconsider the ruling in Roe v. Wade. Many are optimistic about their chances since President Trump’s nominees Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh joined the Supreme Court.
Also this week, in Mississippi, the latest state to enact a fetal heartbeat law, abortion rights supporters filed a lawsuit challenging the ban. The Center for Reproductive Rights asked a federal court to block the law before it takes effect July 1.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Barbara Bush says ‘angst’ over Trump caused heart problems, new book saysNew biography claims former First Lady Barbara Bush so fiercely disliked President Trump that she says he caused her heart problems.
Read more »
Barbara Bush: Did she still consider herself a Republican? 'I'd probably say no today.'USA TODAY Exclusive: In 'The Matriarch,' Barbara Bush blames Donald Trump for her heart attack and for driving her from the Republican Party.
Read more »
The death penalty is wrong, but it’s still the law in CaliforniaEditorial: The death penalty is wrong, but it's still the law in California. 'We live in a democracy, and the people of California have said repeatedly that they want the death penalty.' (via latimesopinion)
Read more »
Georgia lawmakers approve 'heartbeat' abortion banATLANTA (AP) — Bucking intense opposition from abortion rights groups, citizens and doctors, the Georgia House gave final approval Friday to a 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban outlawing almost all...
Read more »
A strict 'heartbeat' abortion bill was just approved by the Georgia House, goes to governorThe so-called 'heartbeat' abortion bill won final approval Friday in the Georgia General Assembly and was sent to the governor, who is expected to sign it.
Read more »
Georgia lawmakers approve 'heartbeat' abortion banATLANTA (AP) — Bucking intense opposition from abortion rights groups, citizens and doctors, the Georgia House gave final approval Friday to a 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban outlawing almost all abortions in the state.
Read more »
Georgia's strict anti-abortion bill could have a negative $9.5 billion economic impact, passes houseJUST IN: Georgia's strict anti-abortion bill, which could have a negative $9.5 billion economic impact, passes house
Read more »
Pushing for 'heartbeat' abortion bills, more states try to force Supreme Court to revisit RoeMore state lawmakers are pushing 'heartbeat' bills that ban abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy in a bid to trigger a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade
Read more »