Asked about the bill now under consideration, a spokeswoman for Mr Edwards said the governor “does not often comply with legislation that has not reached his desk”.
Although lawmakers in conservative states have proposed a number of measures designed to restrict access to abortion, including the prospect of criminal charges against providers, the prosecution of abortion activists has divided activists against abortion.
While running for president in 2016, Donald J. Trump received an immediate blow after saying that patients seeking abortion should be subjected to “some form of punishment.” He withdrew his statement, later saying: “The woman is the victim in this case, as well as the life in her womb.”
Louisiana is one of about a dozen states with so-called trigger laws that would quickly make abortion illegal if the Supreme Court overturns the constitutional right to abortion. Challenging the Mississippi abortion law paved the way for the court to reconsider Rowe v. Wade, the remarkable 1973 ruling establishing that right.
Still, supporters of the new Louisiana bill say the trigger law is not enough. If passed, the bill will immediately ban abortions in the state, even before the Supreme Court issues its final ruling. The bill will also allow the legislature to ignore court decisions with which it disagrees.
“Louisiana has already opposed federal law by legalizing medical marijuana,” said Danny McCormick, the Republican who sponsored the bill. “If more than 15 states can oppose the federal government over marijuana, we can do so to save the lives of innocent babies.
Critics have said – and even some supporters have acknowledged – that the legislation, if passed, is likely to be thwarted by the courts. However, opponents say the bill is reckless and could have devastating consequences.
“This sets a precedent that could undermine our own governance system,” said Gwyneth O’Neill, a lawyer who spoke out against the bill during a hearing Wednesday. “This bill is clearly unconstitutional in many different ways.
Add Comment