Florida on Wednesday put into effect a six-week ban on most abortions, restricting the procedure beyond the point advocates say a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in Jacksonville to mark the occasion and attacked former President Donald Trump, who laid the groundwork for the law to take effect.
“Across our country, we’re seeing a full-scale state-by-state assault on reproductive freedom, and we understand who’s responsible. Former President Donald Trump did this,” Harris, 59, said in a statement. ” he declared.
“Donald Trump handpicked three members of the U.S. Supreme Court with the intention of overturning Roe.”[v Wade]And just as he intended, they did. ”
About 50,000 babies a year could be saved if Florida’s new ban goes into effect. according to Projection by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
“This historic day marks a great victory in the human rights struggle, or in our time. Celebrate the way you celebrate your family, friends, and community.” Groups posted in X.
Last April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 45, signed a ban granting an exception to save his mother’s life, weeks before he launched his unsuccessful 2024 presidential bid.
Ironically, Trump, 77, called desantis The decision to sign the bill into law was a “terrible mistake.”
President Trump has also distanced himself from the anti-abortion movement, announcing last month that he would not support a nationwide ban on abortions, as sought by some in his party.
The Florida Supreme Court last month allowed the six-week ban to take effect, but also greenlighted a ballot measure to overturn the restrictions, which would require a 60% threshold for passage.
The referendum has drawn attention beyond the Sunshine State, with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s group Think Big America pouring $500,000 into pro-abortion efforts.
Democrats are trying to capitalize on voter concerns about abortion regulations to regain foothold in Florida, a state that has trended toward Republicans over the past decade.
Mr. DeSantis scoffed at the idea.
“We welcome Biden and Harris to put a lot of money into Florida. We’ll light up the airwaves. We’ll light the fire. It’s okay for them to do that here. But if we see a Republican win, “We can predict with confidence,” he said. said to the reporter Tuesday.
Before Florida enacted a six-week stay-at-home order, the Sunshine State had the least restrictive restrictions among its neighbors. According to Axios analysis.
“Until now, Florida was probably the only state in Southeast Florida where women could seek reproductive health care,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) lamented Wednesday.
law critics etc. planned parenting, advocacy The idea is to ban abortions even before many women realize they are pregnant.
Florida has 30 of the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the president. Since 1980, voters have supported Democrats for president only three times: for Bill Clinton in 1996 and for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
