The Ohio House has already passed the “Heartbeat Bill,” which would ban abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected. The Ohio Senate appears ready to follow suit.
Just as he did before, Gov. John Kasich says he’ll veto the bill. But advocates for legal abortion say Kasich’s veto is not enough.
Kellie Copeland with NARAL Pro Choice Ohio says Kasich is going on all of the Sunday shows, projecting himself as a moderate to take on President Trump in 2020. But she says the very fact that the “Heartbeat Bill” could land up on his desk shows a lack of leadership on his part.
“A moderate isn’t somebody who has enacted 20 restrictions on access to reproductive health care,” Copeland says. “If he really wants to convince anyone that’s he’s not part of the extremists trying to outlaw abortion in this state and throughout the country, he needs to get up off his duff and do something.”
The “Heartbeat Bill” could ban abortions as early as six weeks, which is before many women even know they’re pregnant. Kasich vetoed the bill back in 2016, and says his position hasn’t changed.
But now, leaders in the House and Senate say they have the votes and the time to override a veto. And incoming Gov. Mike DeWine has said if it passes when he’s in office, he’ll sign it.
