Conservatives dominate Senate
Florida tightens abortion laws
03/04/2022, 12:08 p.m
After one of the toughest abortion laws was passed in Texas, other US states also severely restricted access to abortions. The conservative state of Florida is now following suit and will ban abortions from the 15th week of pregnancy.
In the latest tightening of abortion laws in the United States, the Senate in Florida passed a broad ban on abortions following the 15th week. On Thursday, the southern state’s conservative-dominated Senate approved the restriction of abortions to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. Florida’s governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, has yet to sign the law into law. As a result, abortions in Florida later on would only be possible as an exception, for example if the life of the mother is in danger or the fetus has a fatal anomaly, as the newspaper “USA Today” reported.
This makes it even more difficult for women in the US South to find a place to have a legal abortion. According to the New York Times, Florida has long been considered a refuge following neighboring states have passed stricter laws. “For the first time in many years we have a law that I believe the Supreme Court will tolerate,” said Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, according to USA Today. The rule follows the model of the new Mississippi state abortion law currently under review by the Supreme Court.
Landmark Verdict: Roe vs. Wade
According to a landmark ruling by the court in 1973, abortions in the USA are actually legal until the fetus is viable – today around the 24th week of pregnancy. One as Roe v. A 1992 decision known to Wade also stipulates that the US states must not make it unreasonably difficult for women to have an abortion.
However, under ex-President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court was given a clear conservative majority through new appointments. In the hope that Roe v. Wade is overturned, ultra-conservative states recently tightened their laws. Texas, for example, introduced an extremely strict regulation with the so-called “heartbeat law”. According to the New York Times, the Supreme Court is expected to make a decision in the summer.
