Currents News Staff
Alabama’s new bill bans abortion at every stage of pregnancy.
Those seeking an abortion would not be punished, but doctors performing the procedure would face 99 years in prison.
Women would only be able to get an abortion if their life is at risk, with no exception for rape or incest.
Alabama joins four other states this year that passed bills limiting abortion, and 11 other states that introduced similar legislation this year.
Alabama’s lawmakers say their bill is specifically designed to go to the Supreme Court and challenge the law of the land, Roe vs. Wade.
“This is the first time in 46 years that the makeup on the Supreme Court has changed where there’s possibly enough conservatives on there who would believe Roe vs. Wade is incorrectly decided,” said Eric Johnston, founder of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition.
“Life is a gift of our creator, and we must do everything that we can to protect life,” said Clyde Chambliss, the state’s Republican Senator.
“Keeping that bill as simple and as focused on the message, to me, was our goal,” agreed Terri Collins, the Republican State Representative from Alabama’s 8th District.
Meanwhile, crowds have been convening in Alabama’s Capitol, waving signs and protesting the most restrictive abortion bill in the country.
Chants of “what do we do,” and “stand up fight back,” echoed throughout the Senate chambers.
“You just aborted the state of Alabama. You just raped Alabama with this bill,” Democratic State Senator Bobby Singleton said.
With similar goals being pursued across the nation, the courts have intervened in some states, stopping Kentucky’s bill from going into effect and finding previous measures from North Dakota and Iowa unconstitutional.