BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's
Democratic governor signed a ban on
abortion as early as six weeks of
pregnancy Thursday, a move that
puts him squarely in line with the
leaders of other conservative Southern
states while provoking anger from
members of his own party.
Democratic governor signed a ban on
abortion as early as six weeks of
pregnancy Thursday, a move that
puts him squarely in line with the
leaders of other conservative Southern
states while provoking anger from
members of his own party.
With his signature, Gov. John Bel
Edwards made Louisiana the
fifth
state to enact a law prohibiting
abortion
when a fetal heartbeat is detected,
joining Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio
and Georgia.
Alabama's gone further, outlawing virtually
all abortions.
Edwards made Louisiana the
fifth
state to enact a law prohibiting
abortion
when a fetal heartbeat is detected,
joining Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio
and Georgia.
Alabama's gone further, outlawing virtually
all abortions.
Louisiana's law doesn't contain exceptions
for pregnancies from rape or incest.
for pregnancies from rape or incest.
The bill's signing, however, won't limit
the state's three abortion clinics anytime
soon. Louisiana's law takes effect only if
the law in neighboring Mississippi, which
was recently blocked by a judge, is
upheld by a federal appeals court.
the state's three abortion clinics anytime
soon. Louisiana's law takes effect only if
the law in neighboring Mississippi, which
was recently blocked by a judge, is
upheld by a federal appeals court.
Edwards, a Catholic running for reelection
this year, didn't hold a public bill signing,
instead announcing his action through
his office. He had repeatedly said he
intended to sign the measure, citing his
faith and saying his views match those
of people in his conservative, religious
state, who he described as "overwhelmingly
pro-life."
this year, didn't hold a public bill signing,
instead announcing his action through
his office. He had repeatedly said he
intended to sign the measure, citing his
faith and saying his views match those
of people in his conservative, religious
state, who he described as "overwhelmingly
pro-life."
Louisiana legislators overwhelmingly
supported the ban, with a 79-23 House
vote and 31-5 Senate vote. Aol.
supported the ban, with a 79-23 House
vote and 31-5 Senate vote. Aol.