The Ohio House passed one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion limits today in a 54 to 43 vote.
A direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the bill outlaws an abortion starting at the “first detectable heartbeat.” Wade upholds a woman’s right to an abortion “until fetal viability,” which is between 22 to 24 weeks. Fetal heartbeats can be found at six weeks.
The bill also does not provide an exception for rape, incest, or the mental health of a woman.
Supporters of this outright unconstitutional bill have previously said they hope to challenge Roe v. Wade. Even some anti-abortion rights groups have questioned the wisdom of an outright challenge to the ruling.
It was previously uncertain whether this bill would even pass in the House. The bill made it out of committee by just one vote.
