DeSantis signs six-week abortion ban into Florida law

On Thursday night, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act into law, which bans most abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy. The state legislature passed the ban on Thursday afternoon, and DeSantis announced the news on Twitter, stating that the bill “expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families. The six-week ban replaces the 15-week ban that DeSantis signed into law last year.

While the new bill contains exceptions to save the woman’s life and for pregnancies involving rape or incest until 15 weeks, it still makes the state’s abortion restrictions some of the most severe in the country. The White House criticized Florida’s lawmakers, saying that the abortion ban is “extreme and dangerous” and flies in the face of fundamental freedoms.

Thirteen other states have at least partially banned the procedure, following last year’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. However, Democrats have also campaigned fiercely for abortion access. In Florida, House Democrats attempted to file more than 50 amendments to the bill, but none were added.

DeSantis is considered a top Republican contender for president in 2024, but he has not yet declared his intentions.