Gov. Greg Abbott signs 'fetal heartbeat' bill banning most abortions in Texas

AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Wednesday legislation that prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, effectively banning most abortions in the state.

The restriction puts Texas at the vanguard among states challenging the boundaries of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman's legal right to an abortion.

The measure, a priority for Republican lawmakers during this year’s legislative session, would allow virtually any private citizen to sue an abortion provider or others who “aid and abet” an abortion in violation of the new ban

The bill passed easily through both the Senate and House, despite fervent opposition from Democrats. Abbott indicated support of the measure early in session and made good on his pledge to sign it on Wednesday, at a ceremony that was closed to members of the press.

"Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion," Abbott said during a live video of the ceremony shared to Facebook. "In Texas, we work to save those lives and that's exactly what the Texas Legislature did this session."

Read More:  USAtoday.com

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