Louisiana's Democrat governor takes major stand for unborn children, signals support for 'heartbeat' bill
In a move that would surely enrage his party, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has signaled his support for pro-life "heartbeat" legislation, a bill that would outlaw abortion after ultrasound detects an unborn child's heartbeat.
"Heartbeat" laws, which are gaining steam nationwide, effectively ban abortion after just weeks of pregnancy.
What are the details?
Speaking with media last week, Edwards voiced his support for similar legislation making its way through the Louisiana State Legislature.
"In eight years in the legislature, I was a pro-life legislator, 100 percent with the Louisiana Right to Life," he said, according to WAFB-TV. "When I ran for governor, I said I was pro-life and so that's something that's consistent."
Louisiana's bill — which is nearing final passage — would "prohibit the abortion of an unborn human being with a detectable heartbeat." The bill is similar to laws recently passed in Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Louisiana's bill includes abortion exceptions for pregnancies that pose a "serious risk" to the mother's health, but not for for rape or incest.