North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has pledged to veto an abortion-related bill passed by state Republican lawmakers — but if the GOP legislators stick together, they could override the governor’s veto, according to CNN.
The measure cleared the state House and Senate strictly along party lines, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats voting against it.
The measure would ban most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, though it allows various exceptions — abortions would be allowed through 20 weeks for pregnancies produced by rape or incest and during the first 24 weeks if the baby has a “life-limiting anomaly.” There would also be an exception in the event of medical emergencies.
The bill would prohibit abortions that are sought due to race or Down syndrome.
Cooper claimed in a video that the measure’s “fine-print requirements” as well as “restrictions will shut down clinics and make abortion completely unavailable to many women at any time, causing desperation and death.” He described it as an “awful bill.”
In a Wednesday tweet, he referred to it as an “extreme ban.”
Cooper, who entered office in 2017, was re-elcted during North Carolina’s 2020 gubernatorial election.
“By 12 weeks’ gestation, all major organs have formed and the heart has beat over 10 million times. At this stage, babies suck their thumbs and already have a right-hand or left-hand preference. Prominent facial features including the nose, cheeks, eyes and ears are recognizable; teeth are developing; and the body responds to touch,” according to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!