Donald Trump's victory bolsters restrictive new 'Heartbeat' abortion law in Ohio

The bill will become the nation's most strict abortion law

Samuel Osborne
Thursday 08 December 2016 12:10 GMT
Ohio Senate President Keith Faber campaigned for Donald Trump during the election
Ohio Senate President Keith Faber campaigned for Donald Trump during the election

Ohio's twice-defeated bill to outlaw abortions if a heartbeat is detected was and passed because of Donald Trump's presidential election victory, the state's Senate President has said.

The bill, passed on Tuesday night by a House committee, will prevent abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, easily becoming the nation's most strict abortion law.

Keith Faber, a Republican, said the bill was reintroduced because of Mr Trump's victory and the expectation he will fill Supreme Court vacancies with justices who are more likely to uphold stricter abortion laws.

"One, a new president, new Supreme Court justice appointees change the dynamic," Mr Faber told reporters.

When asked if he expected the proposal to survive a legal challenge, he replied: "I think it has a better chance than it did before."

The ban would make an exception if the mother's life is in danger but not in cases of rape or incest, he added.

It will now pass to the desk of Governor John Kasich who, although he opposes abortion, has previously said the bill may be unconstitutional.

He has not said whether he plans to sign the measure, which he has 10 days to do — not counting holidays and Sundays.

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