Georgia Senate OKs Governor-Backed ‘Heartbeat’ Abortion Ban

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March 25th, 2019

Almost daily, a group of women at the Georgia Capitol has protested a state bill while dressed as characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The Georgia bill, which the state Senate passed Friday, would be one of the nation’s strictest anti-abortion measures if it becomes law and is not blocked in court battles. It will now go back to the House to approve Senate changes, where it’s expected to pass again.

Sam Whitehead / WABE

Amid protests and a heavy police presence, the Georgia Senate on Friday passed a bill banning almost all abortions after a heartbeat can be detected.

The bill, backed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, passed on a 34-18 party-line vote and would be one of the nation’s strictest anti-abortion measures if it becomes law and is not blocked in court battles. It will now go back to the House to approve Senate changes, where it’s expected to pass again.

Women in Georgia can currently seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. A heartbeat can be detected in an embryo as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they’re pregnant.

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