Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed one abortion ban, but vetoed another.Kasich used his line-item veto power and struck the so-called "heartbeat bill," which would ban abortion at the point a fetal heartbeat can be detected. He left the child abuse bill that the ban was attached to intact.
Kasich signed another ban that would outlaw abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy. In a written statement, Kasich says he agrees with Ohio Right to Life that the 20-week ban was the best, most legally sound and sustainable approach to protecting the sanctity of human life.
Ohio Right to Life is praising the governor's action saying it will save "hundreds of unborn lives" each year and allow Ohio to challenge Roe v. Wade.
Abortion rights groups, however, are not happy about the decision. Planned Parenthood calls the legislation dangerous and says it blocks a woman from making important medical decisions during her pregnancy.
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio says the 20-week ban has no exceptions for rape or incest and would allow abortions only if a woman is on the brink of death or suffering permanent organ damage.
If the "heartbeat bill" had become law, it would be the strictest abortion ban in the country. Many critics said it was unconstitutional.
It could go back to Ohio lawmakers since they have not formally adjourned for the session. There’s no word yet on whether they will come back to try to override his veto.
