Though lawmakers tried to push through an incredibly oppressive anti-abortion law in Ohio, Republican Governor John Kasich has vetoed the bill, a rare sign of rationality from a strictly anti-abortion party.
The controversial bill was one of the most restrictive abortion laws possible: it would have made it illegal to obtain or perform abortions after six weeks of gestation, or the point in which a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
The so-called “Heartbeat Bill,” was opposed by all pro-choice activists for impeding Roe V. Wade. More restrictive than many other abortion bills being pushed through Republican legislatures, the “Heartbeat Bill” would bar many women from being able to abort their fetus even before they knew they were pregnant, giving them no choice at all.
Protesters and abortion activists made it clear just how displeased they were with the “Heartbeat Bill” by protesting in Ohio and outside of Governor Kasich’s residence this week.
On the same day that he vetoed the “Heartbeat Bill,” Kasich did sign a less restrictive abortion law which would ban abortions after 20 weeks, but this law will likely be thrown out in higher courts.
While we are glad to have some more rational Republicans in key positions, pro-choice advocates know that we are looking at a tough few years as a Republican-dominated government will no doubt try to pass these sorts of restrictive abortion laws to revoke womens’ choice.
It may just take a year or two before preposterous laws like these are not vetoed, but rather passed into law. Even if they are challenged, a Republican-dominated Supreme Court may threaten the established laws, beginning a new and dangerous era for modern women.
