DeSantis bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill authorizing Florida’s ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. This bill provides the Republican head of the US state with a key political victory on the eve of the expected presidential campaign.

The Republican-dominated Florida Legislature on Thursday approved a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, a motion backed by state Gov. Ron DeSantis as he gears up for the expected presidential race.

As the Associated Press notes, Republican Ron DeSantis later signed the bill into law. “We are proud to support lives and families in the state of Florida,” he said in a statement. Abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy is currently illegal in Florida.

A “six-week” ban could secure a key political victory for DeSantis among GOP voters in the primary as he prepares to launch a presidential candidacy based on his national branding as a conservative flag bearer.

The policy will also have broader implications for access to abortion throughout the American South, following last year’s US Supreme Court ruling that struck down Roe v. Wade and left decisions on access to abortion up to the states.

The states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have banned abortions at all stages of pregnancy, while Georgia bans the procedure after detecting heart activity, which is about six weeks.

“We have an opportunity to lead a national debate about the importance of protecting lives and giving every child the opportunity to be born and find their purpose,” said Republican Party Representative Jenna Persons-Mulica, who introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.

Florida’s ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy will only take effect if the state’s current ban on abortions after 15 weeks is upheld in an ongoing legal battle that is in the state’s Conservative-controlled Supreme Court.

Democrats and abortion rights groups have criticized Florida’s initiative as extreme as many women don’t realize they’re pregnant until six weeks later, the Associated Press reported.

The bill contains some exceptions, including those to save a woman’s life. Abortions in pregnancies involving rape or incest will be allowed up to 15 weeks of gestation, provided the woman has documentation such as an injunction or a police report. DeSantis called the rape and incest provisions reasonable.

Medications used in medical abortion, which are the majority of those provided nationally, can only be dispensed by a person or doctor in accordance with Florida law. Separately, nationwide access to the contraceptive pill mifepristone is being challenged in court.

“I can’t think of any bill that will provide more protection to more people who are more vulnerable than this piece of legislation,” said Republican Party spokesman Mike Beltran, who noted that the bill’s exceptions and the six-week deadline represent a compromise.

Abortion bans are popular among some religious conservatives who are part of the GOP voter base, but the issue has spurred many others to vote Democratic. Republicans have lost elections over access to abortion in recent weeks and months in states like Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin.

DeSantis, who often finds himself at the forefront of “culture war” issues, has said he supports a six-week ban but has been uncharacteristically lukewarm about the bill. He often said, “We welcome legislation to protect life,” when asked about the policy.