NC approves 12-week abortion ban.

North Carolina Senate Passes 12-Week Abortion Restrictions

The North Carolina Senate passed a 12-week abortion restriction bill with a vote of 29-20 on Thursday evening. However, the passage of the bill was met with protests from the gallery, with chants of “Abortion rights now!” leading to the clearing of the chamber.

North Carolina Legislators Reach Veto-Proof Abortion Restrictions

Despite objections from Governor Roy Cooper, Republican legislators in North Carolina have reached a “compromise” agreement on limiting abortion. The bill passed the House with a vote of 71-46, with the help of state Rep. Tricia Cotham, who recently switched parties from Democrat to Republican.

Cooper has vowed to veto the bill, but it is likely to be overridden by three-fifths of the House and Senate. Currently, North Carolina restricts abortion at 20 weeks after a court-ordered block was lifted in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year.

Democrats Speak Out Against the Bill

During deliberations, Senate Democrats continued their arguments from yesterday’s rare joint session to expedite the bill, saying they were “excluded and silenced” during the process. State Democratic Sen. Natasha R. Marcus gave a speech on the floor talking about “safe haven” states that allowed abortion for out-of-state residents, claiming the current bill will create “healthcare refugees” and that mothers “will die.”

Despite this, the bill puts millions of dollars toward childcare, reduction in infant and maternal mortality, and foster care, among other items. Republicans were defensive about using the word “ban,” which they made a point of saying does not appear in the language of the bill and was a point of contention during floor speeches.

The Vote and Next Steps

The vote came after a full day of floor speeches in which every Senate Democrat spoke out against the bill. The bill has been sent to Cooper, who is expected to veto it. However, with a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate, the bill is likely to become law regardless of the governor’s objections.

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