The Ohio legislature on Wednesday passed a bill banning abortion after an unborn baby has a detectable heartbeat, which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
The legislation, Senate Bill 23, was projected to pass in both the House and Senate with Republican majorities in both bodies and is expected to be signed by Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine who has expressed his support for the measure.
LifeNews reports,
House lawmakers voted 56-39 to approve the pro-life bill, amid interruptions by pro-abortion protesters. Statehouse News reports abortion activists could be heard throughout the session shouting and chanting.
Quickly afterward, the state Senate approved the final version of the bill in a 18-13 vote, the Dayton Daily News reports. The Senate passed the bill in March; however, the bill had to return to the Senate because the House amended it to include stiffer penalties for abortionists who violate the measure.
Gov. Mike DeWine supports the legislation. He is expected to sign it soon.
State Senate Bill 23 would prohibit abortions after an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detectable, about six weeks of pregnancy, in Ohio. Because many women do not even know they are pregnant at this early stage, the legislation could protect almost all unborn babies in Ohio if it goes into effect.
The ACLU has already declared war on the state of Ohio if the governor signs the bill into law.
The news comes as Democrats in Congress continue to reject a request to consider a bill that would prevent infanticide and ensure medical care for infants who survive failed abortions.
According to LifeNews, Wednesday marked the 32nd time the House refused a vote on the bill. The Senate has refused the request twice, the latest being in February.