Arkansas Senate approves bill banning Down's syndrome abortions
The proposed law is similar to one in effect in North Dakota
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Arkansas Senate has approved a bill that prohibits doctors from performing abortions if a foetus has been diagnosed with Down's syndrome.
The bill was approved Wednesday by the Senate in a 29-2 vote, and prohibits doctors from performing the procedure if they know it is being sought solely because of the diagnosis, according to the Associated Press.
The measure, which will now head to the House, is the latest restriction on abortion in the state.
Prior to the vote, state Senator Breanne Davis gave an emotional presentation in which she discussed world Down's Syndrome Day, and her own daughter Everly, who was born with Down's syndrome.
The bill is similar to one in effect in North Dakota, which prohibits abortion for reasons related to genetic anomaly.
Last week, Arkansas passed legislation that bans most abortion after 18 weeks of pregnancy.
The state has also passed a “trigger law,” according to CBS News, which would make abortion illegal in the event that Roe v Wade is overturned.
Although the Supreme Court legalised abortion nationwide in 1973 with the landmark decision, the introduction of conservative justices on the Supreme Court has led some Republican-majority states to introduce trigger laws that would go into effect immediately.
In Arkansas, the fifth state to have a trigger law, Act 180 states abortion in Arkansas would be “abolished” and there would not be exceptions for rape or incest.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments