By a 79-23 vote in the state’s House of Representatives, Louisiana is poised to join the list of states passing new bans against abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant to begin with. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. It includes an exception only for pregnancies determined to be "medically futile."
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has indicated that he will sign the bill. In a statement, Edwards noted that he "ran for governor as a pro-life candidate after serving as a pro-life legislator for eight years."
"I know there are many who feel just as strongly as I do on abortion and disagree with me—and I respect their opinions" said Edwards, explaining his support for a bill that will criminalize those other opinions.