Gov. Kay Ivey signed Alabama's restrictive abortion ban on Wednesday, with the only exception for mothers whose lives are in danger, reports the Washington Post.
Why it matters: Alabama is the latest conservative state to pass a bill aimed at limiting abortions, but this is the most restrictive in the U.S. State lawmakers have said their eventual aim is to challenge abortion protections that have existed in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade in 1973. The Alabama Senate voted 25-6 on Tuesday to ban nearly all abortions in the state — with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
The big picture: The Alabama law would make abortion a felony at any stage of a woman's pregnancy. It would criminalize the procedure for doctors, who could face up to 99 years in prison if convicted. The only exception to the abortion ban would be if the woman's health is at risk. Alabama House of Representatives voted 74-3 to pass the bill earlier this month.
What they're saying: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted, "Women’s rights are under attack. This relentless and cruel Republican assault on women’s health is designed to force a court battle to destroy Roe v. Wade. Democrats will be ready to defend health care and women’s reproductive freedom."
- Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders called the bill "cruel" and "blatantly unconstitutional" as he urged Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) to veto it.
What's next: The ACLU of Alabama has already signaled its intention to challenge the law if Ivey signs the bill.
.@GovernorKayIvey not commenting on the abortion bill tonight. From deputy press secretary Lori Jhons: "The governor intends to withhold comment until she has had a chance to thoroughly review the final version of the bill that passed." #alpolitics
— Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) May 15, 2019
Go deeper: Red America's anti-abortion surge
