Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law

 

Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday signed into law legislation banning nearly all abortions in the state, a sweeping measure that supporters hope will force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its landmark Roe v. Wade decision but opponents vow to block before it takes effect later this year. The Republican governor had expressed reservations about the bill, which only allows the procedure to save the life of the mother and does not provide exceptions for those impregnated by rape or incest. Arkansas is one of at least 14 states where legislators have proposed near outright abortion bans this year. Hutchinson said he was signing the bill because of its "overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions." The bans were pushed by Republicans who want to force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide. Conservatives believe the court is more open to striking down the decision following former President Donald Trump's three appointments to the court. "(The ban) is in contradiction of binding precedents of the U.S. Supreme Court, but it is the intent of the legislation to set the stage for the Supreme Court overturning current case law," he said in a statement released by his office. "I would have preferred the legislation to include the exceptions for rape and incest, which has been my consistent view, and such exceptions would increase the chances for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court." (CBS News) Read more. > > > Footnote from Allan Parker, The Moral Outcry: The ACLU has already said they will sue, so this case is NOW on the way to the trial court, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis, and then to the SUPREME COURT.

- Father God, we thank You for this action taken by Governor Asa Hutchinson in the State of Arkansas. As this case now goes to trial in the 8th District Court of Appeals in  St. Louis, we ask that it be approved there, too. And finally, if and when this case goes to the United States Supreme Court, we pledge, Holy One, to continue to hover over this decision, praying much in the Spirit for the outcome. In Your Name we pray, amen and amen.  - ". . . he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 1:6)