Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed a 15-week abortion ban into law Thursday, marking two days in a row of significant pro-life victories in the Sunshine State. Wednesday, a Florida circuit judge upheld Florida’s 24-hour waiting period for women who were seeking abortions.
Florida Enacts Protections for Unborn Babies at 15 Weeks https://t.co/IeOANY8LxM
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 14, 2022
The legislation, now law as of July 1, does not provide exceptions for rape or incest.
“House Bill 5 protects babies in the womb who have beating hearts, who can move, who can taste, who can see, and who can feel pain,” said DeSantis. “Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state’s modern history.”
DeSantis also called it the most “significant” pro-life legislation in a generation while deriding the progressive left’s defense of abortions all the way up to birth.
“If you look at what’s going on in certain segments of our society, particularly among people who are affiliated with the far-left of our political spectrum … they are now taking the position that babies can be aborted up to the ninth month,” DeSantis said, to which the crowd let out a chorus of boos.
DeSantis continued by saying one of the most impactful moments of his life was holding his children for the first time and “if you just go back a day or two then you would’ve been able to snuff the child out entirely? That is just fundamentally wrong, that is infanticide.”
Democrats and abortion advocates derided the signing of the bill, saying women’s rights are under attack. Stephanie Fraim, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, said DeSantis is putting himself between a patient and their physician.
“This abortion ban is an attack on our most fundamental freedoms – the right to control our own bodies, our own futures. For politicians like Ron DeSantis to put themselves between patients and health care providers making personal medical decisions is outrageous. If these politicians think the fight against this abortion ban is over they are sadly mistaken. We won’t rest until our rights are restored. No one has the right to control what we can and cannot do with our own bodies. This is an appalling display of how anti-abortion politicians are not only out of touch with their constituents, but lacking compassion for the people they are elected to serve.”
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D), who is running to unseat DeSantis in the 2022 gubernatorial race, took a shot at DeSantis and her Democrat primary opponent, Congressman Charlie Crist.
“Women in Florida deserve better,” Fried said. “We deserve a Governor who will stand up for our rights, uphold our freedom to choose, and give us a say on the issues that impact our lives, our health, and our well-being. DeSantis won’t do that. Charlie Crist – who called himself ‘pro-life’ just yesterday – can’t be trusted to do it either.”
Today is a disappointing, frustrating day in Florida, particularly if you are a woman.
Ron DeSantis signed a despicable 15-week abortion ban with no exception for rape, incest, or human trafficking.
My full statement below. pic.twitter.com/VRpgfoeiOw
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 14, 2022
Crist made similar comments on Twitter.
“DeSantis has signed into law an unconstitutional attack on women that strips away their reproductive freedom,” Crist said. “Women should make decisions about their own bodies, not governors. I’d veto this bill and any attempt to restrict the right to choose. Full stop.”
DeSantis has signed into law an unconstitutional attack on women that strips away their reproductive freedom.
Women should make decisions about their own bodies, not governors. I'd veto this bill and any attempt to restrict the right to choose. Full stop.
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) April 14, 2022
There is only one provided exception for abortion, and it is when the pregnancy is a “serious risk” to the mother or a fatal fetal abnormality, if two physicians make the diagnosis in writing.
Watch the full announcement and signing ceremony:
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Image “Gov Ron DeSantis Signs 15 Week Abortion Limit” by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
