Alabama just passed the most restrictive abortion law in the country called the Alabama Human Life Protection Act. The law effectively bans all abortions throughout all stages during the pregnancy, with an exception for when a mother’s life is at risk. It includes no exceptions for victims of rape or incest.
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Here are some reactions:
Alabama's governor, Kay Ivey, said in a statement that the law may not be immediately enforced but hopes this bill will travel to the Supreme Court for another decision on abortion.
- "No matter one’s personal view on abortion, we can all recognize that, at least for the short term, this bill may similarly be unenforceable. ... Many Americans, myself included, disagreed when Roe v. Wade was handed down in 1973. The sponsors of this bill believe that it is time, once again, for the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit this important matter, and they believe this act may bring about the best opportunity for this to occur."
Fox News' Judge Andrew Napolitano agrees the bill was written to repeal Roe v. Wade.
- "It's written for that purpose. There is a view that there is a pro-life majority in the Supreme Court and obviously a pro-life president. And if there is any time to dismantle Roe ... the time is now."
Sen. Susan Collins told CNN's Manu Raju that the bill was far too extreme and that she can't see any judge (when asked about Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh) finding the law to be consistent with past legislation.
Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy opposes the new law because it goes too far by not covering victims of rape and incest.
- “I defend my pro-life position for my whole political career. But in my whole political career, I also believed in rape, incest or life of the mother. There was exceptions.”
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg questioned if the discussion of freedom in this country has gone too far from basic logic.
- "To see, in Alabama, that if someone is raped and she seeks an abortion, the doctor who treats her will be penalized with a longer prison term than her rapist, makes me question whether the discussion about freedom in this country has gone off the rails."