Ohio Gov. Kasich Vetoes Anti-Abortion 'Heartbeat' Bill
- Updated Dec 14, 2016
Ohio Governor John Kasich has vetoed the so-called “heartbeat bill,” which would have banned most abortions after six weeks.
Although Kasich--who was a Republican candidate in the 2016 presidential race--is pro-life, he expressed concerns that the heartbeat bill would face significant opposition from federal courts. This, he argued, would end up costing the state of Ohio massive funding in a losing battle.
"The State of Ohio will be the losing party in that lawsuit and, as the losing party, the State of Ohio will be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to cover the legal fees for the pro-choice activists' lawyers," Kasich stated.
"Therefore, this veto is in the public interest," he continued, according to Fox News.
The bill banned most abortions after a heartbeat could be detected-generally around six weeks gestation. It only made exceptions if the mother’s life was endangered.
Republican lawmakers in Ohio still have the opportunity to override Kasich’s veto if they can achieve a three-fifths majority in the House and the Senate.
Although he vetoed the heartbeat bill, Kasich did sign a different anti-abortion measure into law on Tuesday.
Abortion will now be banned in Ohio after 20 weeks.
Lawmakers in a number of other states are also planning on proposing pro-life legislation. Many hope the incoming Trump administration will set the tone for stricter abortion laws, and possibly even an opportunity to overturn the seminal abortion case, Roe v. Wade.
Photo courtesy: flickr.com
Publication date: December 14, 2016
