Politics

Kentucky governor vetoes proposed 15-week abortion ban

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On Friday, Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a Republican-priority measure that would make abortions illegal in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and it would also regulate the administration of abortion pills.

The governor cited constitutionality concerns as he also criticized it for not including exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

The state’s lawmakers will still have a chance to override the veto when they get together next week for the last two days of the year’s 60-day legislative session.

The measure had won overwhelming support in the GOP-dominate lawmaking body, as a state Republican Party spokesman called the veto the most recent example of the governor’s “ideological war” on conservative values.

This particular proposal is the latest by Kentucky lawmakers to restrict abortion since the legislature became controlled by Republicans after the 2016 election.

The 15-week ban on abortion was modeled after a Mississippi law that is currently under review in the U.S. Supreme Court in a case that could potentially limit abortion access in a drastic way across the country. By taking action prior to the ruling, the bill’s supporters say Kentucky’s stricter ban would be left in place if the Mississippi law is allowed to remain. Current state law bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

On Friday, Beshear condemned the bill because of its lack of exceptions. “Rape and incest are violent crimes,” the governor noted in his veto message. “Victims of these crimes should have options, not be further scarred through a process that exposes them to more harm from their rapists or that treats them like offenders themselves.”

He added that the bill is “likely unconstitutional,” pointing to similar laws elsewhere that were struck down by the Supreme Court.

ARTICLE: ELIZABETH HERTZBERG

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: ABC NEWS

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