TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Republicans in the Florida Senate have advanced a proposal to ban abortions after 15 weeks, rejecting Democratic attempts to soften its restrictions and add exceptions for rape, incest or trafficking.
The bill, which has already been approved by the GOP-controlled House, is now set for a final vote in the Senate after Republicans on Wednesday dismissed a slew of amendments from Democrats.
The measure comes as Republicans across the country move to limit access to abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court signaled it would uphold a Mississippi law prohibiting the procedure after 15 weeks and potentially overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
As lawmakers debated the bill on Wednesday, one South Florida lawmaker revealed something very personal.
“When I was a young teen, my abuser, who was a woman, took me to a friend’s house,” said State Sen. Lauren Book. “There I was drugged, raped by multiple men. I haven’t talked about that experience to anyone.
“I didn’t become pregnant, but many young girls aren’t so lucky.”
A total of 13 amendments were proposed, one more than in the House, and all by Democrats.
Once again, they all failed. Even the amendment that received some behind the scenes support by Republicans, which would make exceptions for victims of sex crimes.
“The question we’re asking ourselves is, ‘When does that baby in the womb have the same rights as the mother that’s carrying it,?’” said State Sen. Kelly Stargel, a Republican and sponsor of the bill.
No doubt, Florida’s most restrictive abortion law in state history, which rolls back limits on terminating a pregnancy from 24 weeks to 15 weeks, will pass the Senate on party lines, just like it did in the House two weeks ago.
The only question remaining is, how long will it take?