(Washington Examiner) Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed the Heartbeat Protection Act into law Thursday night, banning abortion in the state of Florida after six weeks of pregnancy.
In a tweet announcing his signature, DeSantis wrote that the act "expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families." Florida's state legislature passed the ban Thursday afternoon.
Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families. pic.twitter.com/quZpSj1ZPk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 14, 2023
White House denounces Florida abortion ban as 'extreme and dangerous'
The White House rebuked Florida's lawmakers on Thursday, saying the abortion ban is "extreme and dangerous."
"The ban flies in the face of fundamental freedoms and is out of step with the views of the vast majority of the people of Florida and of all the United States," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The six-week ban now replaces the 15-week ban that DeSantis signed into law last year.
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The new bill contains exceptions to save the woman's life and would allow for pregnancies involving rape or incest until 15 weeks. Still, it makes the state's abortion restrictions some of the most severe in the country.
Tweet This: "Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections & devotes resources to help young mothers & families" -Ron DeSantis
The ban is one of many in conservative-led states that have followed in the wake of last year's Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Thirteen other states have at least partially banned the procedure. But Democrats have also campaigned fiercely over abortion access.
Florida House Democrats filed more than 50 amendments to the bill, but House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican, said none were added to the bill.
Though he has not yet declared his intentions, DeSantis is considered to be a top Republican contender for president in 2024 and is widely expected to throw his hat into the ring.
Editor's note: This article was published by the Washington Examiner and is reprinted with permission.
