Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief

CLEVELANDURBANNEWS.COM-Cleveland, Ohio-The Ohio Senate, on Wednesday, passed the controversial fetal heartbeat bill, which would make abortion illegal in Ohio once a fetal heartbeat is detected, and in as early as six weeks depending on the method of detection, a bill that passed the Senate 19-13, and largely along partisan lines.

Senate Bill 23, sponsored by state  Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-27), a Hudson Republican, now heads to the Ohio House of Representative for its vote, and then to Gov Mike DeWine for his signature, if it passes in the House as expected.

Republicans control both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly.

Abortion rights proponents say abortion rights are under attack more so than anytime in American history since Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationwide.

"We know the fight for reproductive freedom will continue for many weeks, months and years to come," said Kellie Copeland, executive director of Naral Pro-Choice Ohio, an abortion and reproductive rights group that has protested on the issue several times at the Statehouse, along with Planned Parenthood  Advocates of Ohio and the National Organization for Women Ohio Chapter.

Copeland told Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com via a press release earlier today that "no matter what Ohio's lawmakers do, we'll keep fighting."

An amendment to SB 23 that would have excluded abortion for rape and incest victims, and was introduced by state Sen Nickie Antonio (D-23), a Lakewood Democrat, failed.

DeWine took office in January after defeating Democrat Richard Cordray last year in a close election.

Physicians would violate SB 23 if they performed an abortion when a fetal heartbeat has been detected or if they performed an abortion without determining whether there is a heartbeat, a fifth-degree felony that carries a potential penalty of six to 12 months behind bars, and a $2,500 fine.

DeWine campaigned for governor last year with his position against abortion a key part of his campaign platform.

He said then that he would quickly sign the heartbeat bill into law if and when it hits his desk as governor.

State Sens. Sandra Williams (D-22), (pictured) a Black Cleveland Democrat, and Kenny Yuko (D-25) (pictured), a Richmond Heights Democrat, voted against the bill.

DeWine's posture on the heartbeat bill differs from his Republican predecessor, John Kasich, who was term- limited and is now a CNN visiting commentator.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog with some 5 million views on Google Plus alone.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, and who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.