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Now That Kasich Is Gone, Ohio Might Finally Get a Pro-Life Heartbeat Law

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Republican lawmakers in Ohio are once again proposing a pro-life bill. The Ohio Heartbeat Bill, previously vetoed twice, will outlaw abortion after a heartbeat is detected – as early as six weeks gestation.

Unlike in years past, Ohio now has a governor who says he will sign the measure into law. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) vetoed the measure twice, citing potential costly legal battles for the state. 

"The central provision of (the bill), that an abortion cannot be performed if a heartbeat has been detected in the unborn child, is contrary to the Supreme Court of the United States' current rulings on abortion," Kasich said in a statement announcing his veto, according to WKYC. Kasich vetoed the bill last December before his successor, Mike DeWine, took office. 

Kasich received great criticism for his unwillingness to sign into law a bill loved by his Republican constituents.

Gov. DeWine, however, has been vocal in his support of the measure. 

"We will do this. I just saw the headline: a court struck down another heartbeat bill for another state. But ultimately, this thing once it's passed in Ohio, once we sign it, once it becomes law, Planned Parenthood is going to be in the next day, or that day, filing a lawsuit," DeWine said, according to The Hill. "But ultimately, this will work its way up to the United States Supreme Court. And they'll make that decision."

Lawmakers were not able to override Kasich's veto late last year. However, the bill was reintroduced by Republican state Sen. Kristina Roegner and then in the state House of Representatives by Ron Hood (R) and Candice Keller (R). The bill has 50 co-sponsors, a majority in the Ohio House. 

The Ohio chapter of Planned Parenthood took to Twitter to criticize the bill, stating it "highlights the misguided and dangerous priorities of our state legislators."

Once passed, the law is expected to encounter multiple legal battles that will go up to the Supreme Court.

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