Arkansans Governor puts a near-blanket ban on abortions

Asa Hutchinson, the governor of Arkansas, signed a bill much awaited by American conservatives which will put an umbrella ban on abortion in almost all cases in the state. The supporters of the newly signed bill are known to believe that the US Supreme Court will have to review the Roe v. Wade verdict, which set a precedent for legal abortion in the country in 1973, as a ripple effect of the bill’s signing, according to US media reports. 

The newly signed legislation, which fails to provide exceptions for pregnancies caused by incest or rape, was reportedly deeply scrutinized by the governor. Arkansas, which is known to favour the conservative side of American politics, became one of the 14 states which have proposed an umbrella ban on the practice of abortion this year, reported Associated Press. 

Also Read: South Carolina House passes bill banning abortions

The supporters of the bill anticipate that a country-wide implementation of such a bill will now be easier after a series of states have taken the initiative and the presence of three appointments made by former President Donald Trump will make the job easier. 

Hutchinson has expressed his reservations about the shortcomings of the bill and has previously urged the inclusion of an exception for those cases where the pregnancy is caused by force. He said he was signing the legislation due to the “overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions.”

“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. 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”, he said in a statement released by his office, reported Associated Press.  

Also Read: Joe Biden to revoke the controversial Mexico City Policy to expand abortion rights

According to the state laws, the legislation can not be enforced at least 90 days after the lawmakers adjourn their session. This gives the bill’s opposition a window to challenge the recently signed bill in a court of law before it is implemented.