Florida Republicans have introduced a bill to ban aboritons on babies when their heartbeats can be detected at 6 weeks. it’s a pro-life measure that would make Florida the next state to ban aboritons and pro-life Governor Ron DeSantis has already pledged he would sign it into law.
Florida Senate and House Republicans proposed measures to ban abortions on unborn babies with beating heats. The bills (SB 300 and HB 7), filed by Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, and Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, would expand the current 15-week abortion ban that DeSantis signed last year before the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.
House Speaker Paul Renner signaled support for the bill, which is expected to pass the legislature.
“Our ability to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness began with life,” Renner said. “We must defend the right to life for thousands of boys and girls who deserve to experience life, find love and enrich the lives of others.”
The Florida Supreme Court is currently consdiering a pro-abortion legal challenge to the 15 week ban under a false claim that it violates a privacy clause in the Florida Constitution that has nothng to do with abortion but has been misused to overturn pro-life legislation in the past.
The legislation would take effect if the state’s high corut upholds the 15 week ban. The bills also allow abortions in cases of rape or incest up to 15 weeks as long as certain provisions are met to enture the rape has been reproted so the rapist can be held accountable.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said she supports the bill with the exceptions.
“My biggest concern has always been the exception for rape and incest, fetal death, and the life of the mother,” Passidomo said. “That is my number one priority, and that’s why I support the bill. It’s in the bill.”
DeSantis confirmed last month that he will sign a heartbeat bill banning abortions on babies with beating hearts. This is the second time in recent weeks that DeSantis has promised he would sign the 6-week abortion ban as soon as the legislature passes it.
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“We’re for pro-life. I urge the legislature to work, produce good stuff, and we will sign,” DeSantis said during a news conference today, adding that he’s “willing to sign great life legislation.”
“That’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” DeSantis added.
In December, DeSantis said that he is “ready to sign” a heartbeat bill to protect babies from abortions. But first, the Florida legislature needs to pass such an abortion ban and get it to his desk.
During a press conference in Fort Lauderdale last month, a reporter asked DeSantis if he would “take the lead” on the heartbeat bill, which would ban abortions starting at 6 weeks when an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detectable on a sonogram.
“I’m willing to sign great life legislation. That’s what I’ve always said I would do,” DeSantis said in response.
DeSantis also defended the right to life of unborn children saying that with abortion “another life is at stake.”
“At the end of the day, government was instituted for certain reasons. To protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” DeSantis said.
Such an abortion ban would improve upon the 15-week ban DeSantis already signed this year that is protecting babies from abortions at that point.
“We’re here today to protect life,” Governor DeSantis said at a large ceremony to sign the 15-week ban last year. “We’re here today to defend those who can’t defend themselves.”
The governor said the bill “protects the rights of unborn children starting at 15 weeks. This is a time where these babies have beating hearts. They can move, they can taste, they can see, they can feel pain, they can suck their thumb, and they have brain waves.”
“Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state’s modern history,” he said.
During the gubernatorial campaign, DeSantis condemned abortion.
When asked about abortion, the Republican governor recalled the story of a poor Jamaican woman who nearly went through with an abortion 40 years ago. DeSantis said the woman was urged to have an abortion and even went to her appointment, but she chose life for her unborn daughter instead, according to an RNC Research video from the debate.
“I think about that because a few months ago I appointed her daughter to be the first Jamaican-American justice in the history of the Florida Supreme Court,” DeSantis said. “I just think we’re better when everybody counts. I understand not everyone is going to be born in perfect circumstances, but I would like to see everybody have a shot.”
The governor said he is proud of the pro-life law that he signed in April to ban abortions after 15 weeks. Pro-life leaders estimate the law will save thousands of babies’ lives every year.
