Texas Governor Signs 'Heartbeat Bill' Banning Abortion
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill Wednesday banning abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The bill, passed by both chambers of the Republican-majority Texas legislature, prohibits abortion at six weeks of pregnancy without making an exception for rape or incest, though it does make an exception for medical emergencies. While approximately a dozen states have passed similar "heartbeat" bills, the Texas version absolves the state from enforcing the law and instead includes a provision that allows citizens to sue anyone they believe to be involved in helping a pregnant individual violate the ban. While the provision cannot be used against pregnant people, reproductive rights advocates warn it can be used against abortion providers and reproductive rights activists. The bill is expected to take effect in September. This comes after the Supreme Court announced Monday it would review a major abortion dispute that could roll back abortion protections under Roe v. Wade. Coverage across the political spectrum tended to focus on the details of the bill. Some coverage from the center and left tended to frame the ban as "extreme" and highlight that at six weeks, Texas' bill has the earliest threshold for the ban, as many people are not aware they are pregnant by then. Coverage from right-rated outlets tended to highlight Abbott's remarks and the provision for private lawsuits.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Texas governor signs extreme six-week abortion ban into lawThe Texas Republican governor Greg Abbott has signed into law one of the most extreme six-week abortion bans in the US, despite strong opposition from the medical and legal communities, who warn the legislation could topple the state’s court system and already fragile reproductive healthcare network.
“This bill ensures that every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion,” said Abbott, flanked by several members of the Texas legislature this morning.
Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), passed by both chambers of the Republican-dominated Texas...
From the Left
The Governor Of Texas Has Signed A Law That Bans Abortion As Early As 6 WeeksTexas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed into law a bill that bans abortion the moment a fetal heartbeat has been detected, a move that makes Texas the largest state in the nation to outlaw abortion so early in a pregnancy.
The Texas law effectively prohibits any abortion after around six weeks of pregnancy — before many women are even aware they are pregnant.
The bill, which takes effect in September, makes no exception for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest but does include a rare provision...
From the Right
Texas Governor Signs First of Its Kind Fetal Heartbeat Law That Leaves Enforcement to Private CitizensTexas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill on Wednesday barring abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat — as early as six weeks — with the exception of medical emergencies.
“Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion,” Abbott, a Republican, said during a bill signing ceremony. He added that the Legislature “worked together on a bipartisan basis to pass a bill that I’m about to sign that ensures that the life of...
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