Alabama joins the ranks of a handful of states that seeking to overturn Roe V. Wade by making abortions illegal. On May 15, the Alabama Senate voted to virtually outlaw abortion, according to the Associated Press.
The GOP-dominated Senate 25-6 vote makes performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison for the abortion provider.
Senators rejected an attempt to add an exception for rape and incest. The amendment was voted down 21-11, with four Republicans joining Democrats.
The ruling caused a stir across the nation. In an exclusive statement given to rolling out, Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, senior staff attorney at the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project shared her thoughts on the landmark legislation. “Alabama’s bill is the anti-abortion opposition’s true agenda on full display—ban abortion, punish women, jail doctors, and shame people seeking care,” Kobli-Molinas said.
On the other end of the spectrum, pro-life advocates see the ruling as a victory. Catherine Glenn Foster of Americans United for Life shared her thoughts in a statement.
“From conception to natural death, every single human life deserves to be protected by law. The violence of abortion is never the answer to the violence of rape. Like other states that have passed laws concerning when life begins, Alabama has relied upon scientific and medical facts. It has also created the opportunity to implement new, comprehensive policies to ensure the most life-affirming outcomes for both the mother and the child throughout life. Alabama has renewed the essential conversation about the meaning of justice and morality, one that starts with recognizing what abortion is: the extinguishing of a unique human life.”
Kobli-Molinas said that the ACLU plans to challenge the ruling in court.
“Abortion bans are blatantly unconstitutional and are intended to directly challenge Roe v. Wade,” Kobli-Molinas shared. “We will not stand by while politicians endanger the lives of women and doctors for political gain. Know this, Governor Ivey, if you sign this dangerous bill into law, we will see you in court.”
If the bill becomes law, it would take effect in six months.
