Pictured is Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH)
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.
By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief
CLEVELANDURBANNEWS.COM-Cleveland, Ohio-Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, on Thursday, signed the controversial fetal heartbeat bill into law, a new state law that makes abortion illegal once a fetal heartbeat is detected, and in as early as six weeks depending on the method of detection.
The Senate voted 18-13 Wednesday in favor of revisions to Senate Bill 23 made by the House when it approved the measure early Wednesday, 56-39, the bill originating in the Senate.
Republicans control both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly and the bill was passed along partisan lines
Also a former U.S. senator, DeWine, a Republican, took office as governor in January after defeating Democrat Richard Cordray last year in a close election, Cordray a former Ohio attorney general, pro-abortion proponent, and consumer watch dog under the Obama administration.
At the time Ohio's attorney general, he campaigned for governor 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.
He was adamant on the abortion issue and reproductive rights at a gubernatorial debate in Cleveland, the final debate before last November's election, and said he opposes abortion outright, and in any circumstance.
"I am pro-life, I have eight children," said DeWine. "We value human life."
Opponents of the new law, led by the ACLU, have already promised to meet DeWine and Ohio's state legislature in court, calling the new law unconstitutional on its face via Roe v. Wade, and contrary to Supreme Court rulings that permit abortion until a fetal heartbeat develops, usually around 24 weeks.
Physicians who violate SB 23 by performing an abortion when a fetal heartbeat has been detected or performing an abortion without determining whether there is a heartbeat, face a fifth-degree felony that carries a potential penalty of six to 12 months behind bars, and a $2,500 fine.
Similar bills have been passed by state legislatures in six other states, including Kentucky, Mississippi and Georgia, with courts blocking such-type of bills in North Carolina and Iowa.
Sponsored by state Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-27), a Hudson Republican, Senate Bill 23 is one of Ohio's most restrictive abortion bill's since Roe v Wade, the landmark decision that made abortion legal nationwide, became federal law in 1973.
Abortion rights proponents, led by Naral Pro-Choice Ohio and Planned Parent Advocates of Ohio, picketed Wednesday at the Statehouse along side of anti-abortion advocates.
Abortion rights activists say abortion and reproductive rights in general are under attack more so than anytime in American history since Roe v Wade.
"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 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 in the Senate last month.
State Sens. Sandra Williams (D-22), (pictured) a Black Cleveland Democrat, and Kenny Yuko (D-25) (pictured), a Richmond Heights Democrat, voted against Ohio's heartbeat bill.
Black state Reps. Juanita Brent (D-12), Terrence Upchurch (D-10) and Stephanie Howse (D-11), all of Cleveland, and Janine Boyd (D-9) of Cleveland Heights, opposed the bill in the House.
Gov. 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.
A 2016 presidential candidate, Kasich said he vetoed the heartbeat bill in 2017 and again last year because they were “clearly contrary to Supreme Court rulings."
Whether an Ohio law banning abortion that is contrary to Supreme Court rulings will pass constitutional muster remains to be seen.
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.
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