By Nick Baum
WEDNESDAY – 5/15/19
After four hours of debate, the Alabama Senate passed a bill Tuesday night that would effectively end almost all abortions in the state, and punish doctors who do perform abortions with life in prison. The bill itself was passed by a large margin, with the Republican-controlled Senate voting 25-6 to send it to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk, also a Republican.
The bill, which is officially known as HB 314, criminalizes abortion at all stages of pregnancy with the exception of when the mother’s life is at risk. Doctors can face up to 99 years in prison for illegally performing the procedure, and many Democrats in the state have criticized it, stating that it ignores women’s ability to choose, as there were only three women in the state senate.
The bill was passed in the state assembly earlier this May, which was also Republican controlled. Democrats in the state senate also tried to reintroduce the bill to grant abortions to rape victims, but the bill failed 11-21. As of now, the Governor of Alabama will have six days to sign the legislation.
Sources and Pictures: Wikipedia, Yellowhammer news, CNN, The New York Times
