State Issues Historic Abortion Ban
Mississippi became the first state to ban abortions after 15 weeks in pregnancy
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the measure into law Monday.
Bryan signed House Bill 1510, which bans women from having abortions after 15 weeks gestation unless the unborn baby is expected to not survive outside the womb or if continuing the pregnancy will jeopardize the woman’s life.
“It’s a great day in Mississippi,” Republican Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted Monday.
It’s a great day in Mississippi as we move to make our state the safest place in the nation for an unborn child. I was proud to stand with members of the pro-life community as Gov. @PhilBryantMS signed the ban on abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. pic.twitter.com/xWQNgjyTUn
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 19, 2018
Jackson Women’s Health Organization owner Diane Derzis — running the only remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi — would sue if the law passed, she said and followed through with her threat Monday, according to The Associated Press.
BREAKING: Mississippi's only abortion clinic sues state after governor signs nation's most restrictive abortion law.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 19, 2018
No state banned abortion before 20 weeks of pregnancy until Monday.
Update
JACKSON, Miss. — A federal judge Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order to stop Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, the most restrictive in the nation, from going into effect.
Appearing via conference call in front of federal District Judge Carlton Reeves, McDuff said the state’s ban was unconstitutional, citing case law that included the landmark 1972 case of Roe v. Wade.
