Louisiana's Democratic governor signs abortion ban into law
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) on Thursday afternoon signed into law a "heartbeat" bill that effectively bans abortion at six weeks.
The measure passed the state's House of Representatives on Wednesday, and makes abortions illegal once an ultrasound can detect the electric pulsing of what will become a fetus' heart. This can happen as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, which is before some women even know they are expecting.
The law does not include exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Four other states have recently passed similar heartbeat laws, with Mississippi's blocked by a federal judge last week. Anti-abortion activists are hoping these strict new laws will lead to the Supreme Court taking on a case, and possibly overturning Roe v. Wade.
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