Earlier this week, Florida’s Republican governor signed a law stating that abortions after six weeks of pregnancy are illegal. The Republican-majority legislature passed this law. The governor’s office announced the signing, giving DeSantis a significant win among Republican primary voters. He plans to launch a presidential campaign based on his reputation as a conservative leader.
Implementing the six-week ban hinges on the state’s existing 15-week ban being upheld in an ongoing legal case at the state Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority. The new policy could have broader implications for abortion access across the South following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and granting states the authority to determine abortion access. All stages of pregnancy have already been banned in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and cardiac activity can be detected at six weeks or later in Georgia.
Florida’s new law has been criticized by Democrats and abortion-rights groups, who argue that it is too restrictive. The ban would impact around four million women of reproductive age in Florida and nearly 15 million women in other southern states with abortion restrictions who previously relied on Florida for abortion access.
There are some exceptions to the law, such as cases where the woman’s life is at risk or pregnancies resulting from rape or incest up to 15 weeks, provided that there is documentation like a restraining order or police report. Medication-induced abortions, which account for most abortions nationally, will only be available through in-person or physician-administered distribution under the new law. Access to the abortion pill mifepristone is also being challenged in court.
The issue of abortion bans has energized both conservative and liberal voters, with Republicans facing election losses in Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin on the issue of abortion access. Even though the Democrats are powerless at all levels of state government, they have used stall tactics and protests to oppose the bill passed by both chambers, primarily along party lines.
Despite facing opposition, Governor DeSantis has remained supportive of the six-week ban, though he appeared somewhat restrained in his enthusiasm. He often responds to inquiries about the policy by stating, “We welcome pro-life legislation.” DeSantis will announce his presidential candidacy after the end of the legislative session in May. In this year’s Florida Statehouse, the Republican supermajority approved conservative policies that could boost his campaign.
Democrats have employed various methods to delay or derail the bill’s passage, including protests and filing numerous amendments to the proposal. Last week, the Senate approved the legislation, followed by the House on Thursday. During a protest in Tallahassee against the six-week ban, a Democratic senator and Florida Democratic Party chairwoman were arrested. Republicans rejected all amendments proposed by Democrats.
Democratic Rep. Felicia Simone Robinson expressed her concern: “The right to choose and health of women is being taken away from them. Does Florida claim to be a free state?” Abortion restrictions are expected to remain a contentious issue, both in Florida and throughout the United States, as the implications of the new policy unfold.
The enactment of the six-week abortion ban in Florida marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over abortion access across the United States. The policy’s potential impact on millions of women in the South highlights the importance of continued discussion and attention to this issue. As the nation grapples with the consequences of state-level decisions on abortion access, it remains crucial to consider the diverse perspectives and needs of those affected by these policies.
