COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Republicans in the Ohio House of Representatives began a lame-duck session Thursday by passing a bill that would ban most abortions after the first detection of a fetal heartbeat.
That milestone can arrive as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
The Republican-controlled House voted 58-35 Thursday in favor of the legislation, which does not include exceptions for rape or incest.
The bill provides “a more consistent and reliable marker for the courts to use” when considering abortion laws’ constitutionality, said Rep. Christina Hagan, a Stark County Republican and the bill’s co-sponsor.
The American Civil Liberties Union called the measure “a total abortion ban” and promised to sue if it becomes law. Kasich vetoed a similar bill in December 2016, siding with opponents who contend it is unconstitutional.
The bill will advance to the Ohio Senate.