The Republican-led Florida Senate on Monday voted 26-13 in favor of a 6-week abortion ban (Heartbeat bill), the legislative measure (SB 300) Gov. Ron DeSantis asked for.
Florida is on the verge of becoming the latest state to pass a “Heartbeat bill.”
Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi all prohibit abortions across the board, while Georgia bans abortion once a heartbeat is detected.
“Bodily autonomy should not give a person the permission to kill an innocent human being. We live in a time where the consequences of our actions are an afterthought and convenience has been substitution for responsibility, and this is unacceptable when it comes to the protection of the most vulnerable,” said Sen. Erin Grall, a Republican State Senator who filed the bill.
Democratic lawmakers have railed against Republicans excluding exceptions to abortion such as in case of race and incest.
Republican lawmakers addressed those exceptions and included language in the bill that allow for an abortion to take place in the case of rape or incest, but only until 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Democrats are hamstrung. There is nothing they can do to prevent this bill from passing in the House of Representatives, or from preventing Gov. DeSantis signing it into law.
“Please don't take matters into your own hands. Do not put your safety at risk. No back-alley abortions. There are people and funds that will help you. No matter where you live, no matter how desperate of a situation you are in, no matter how helpless it may seem. I promise, you are not alone. Call my office,” stated Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book.
