Kemp to sign anti-abortion 'heartbeat' bill on Tuesday
Gov. Brian Kemp is set to sign the anti-abortion “heartbeat” bill into law on Tuesday, a move that will set in motion a drawn-out legal battle that the Republican and other supporters hope lands in the U.S. Supreme Court.
The governor was long expected to sign House Bill 481, which would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, making it one of the nation’s strictest laws of its kind. The bill will be inked at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the governor’s ceremonial office at the state Capitol.
The governor’s office on Monday confirmed the timing of the signing of the bill, which Kemp said upholds his promise to enact the “toughest abortion bill in the country.” After initially backing a weaker measure, Kemp endorsed the “heartbeat” bill in March and lobbied lawmakers to approve it.
Democrats, medical lobbies and civil rights organizations have forcefully opposed the measure, warning it could force women to take dangerous steps to seek abortions and cost millions in tax dollars to defend. They also say it could jeopardize Georgia’s pro-business reputation.
Read more: https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/breaking-kemp-sign-anti-abortion-heartbeat-bill-tuesday/SMN1lGQHqWBEsnRhXPGa7I/