The Associated Press is reporting that the Republican controlled Arkansas House and Senate voted to override the Governor's veto of a bill that will give the state the distinction of having the strictest abortion laws in the country.
The 12-week ban will prohibit abortions from the point when a fetus' heartbeat can be detected using an ultrasound. It includes exemptions for rape, incest, the life of the mother and serious fetal disorders.
The law will go into effect this summer, but pro-abortion groups are already threatening to sue to block the ban from taking effect.
Pro-life representatives remain unmoved by the threats.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jason Rapert, said a number of firms have offered to help the state defend the laws in court, if necessary.
"I'm just grateful that this body has continued to stand up for the bills that have passed. The eyes of the entire nation were on the Arkansas House of Representatives today," he said.
Governor Beebe deferred to the usual "war on women" rhetoric, saying the bills were unconstitutional and violated the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that deems abortion legal until a fetus can survive outside the womb.
"The Arkansas Legislature has once again disregarded women's health care and passed the most extreme anti-women's health bill in the country," said Jill June, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. "With this bill, the Arkansas Legislature will force many women to seek unsafe care."
According to pro-life Rep. Ann Clemmer, who sponsored the bill in the House, this was the first time during her three terms of office that she was given the privilege to cast a vote for life. Until Republicans won control of the House and Senate, pro-life bills never made it this far.
"If I say that I'm pro-life, at some point I have to do something about what I say I believe," said Clemmer.
It's important to note that women who have abortions in violation of the 12-week ban will not face prosecution in Arkansas, but the doctor who performs the procedure could have his or her medical license revoked.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
