A Bill to stop abortions after 20 weeks is set to be considered in the US state of Wisconsin – in a move that could make it the eleventh state to enact such a law.
Republicans announced the Bill and Governor Scott Walker has said he would sign such legislation into law.
Jesse Kremer, a Republican lawmaker in the state, spoke of a “duty and moral obligation” to protect unborn children.
Pressure
The Bill would stop abortions after 20 weeks – when babies are thought to feel pain in the womb.
However, in the case of medical emergency abortion would be allowed.
In England, Scotland and Wales abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks – apart from in the case of disability when it can be carried out up to full term.
Currently in Northern Ireland abortion is not allowed except if there is a risk to the life of the mother, but there is currently pressure to weaken the law.
In March a Bill that would stop abortions once the unborn child’s heartbeat is detected – which is around six weeks into pregnancy – was passed by the lower house of representatives in the US state of Ohio.
Support
Wisconsin’s Kremer commented: “Simply put, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act will preserve and protect Wisconsin’s innocent, unborn babies who can feel pain.
“The call to preserve precious, human life transcends party lines. Thus, I hope to see bi-partisan support for this vital measure to protect Wisconsin’s unborn from needless pain and suffering.”
However, one Democratic Senator said he was opposed to the “invasive legislation”.
Protect
In March Governor Scott Walker said “further protections for mother and child are likely to come to my desk in the form of a bill to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks”.
He added: “I will sign the bill when it gets to my desk and support similar legislation on the federal level.”
Earlier this year several other US states – Oklahoma, Kansas and West Virginia – also backed pro-life laws.