Governor Desantis will sign 15-week abortion ban without exceptions for rape and incest

Governor Ron DeSantis said Friday he would sign legislation banning most abortions after 15-weeks, even without exemptions for victims of rape, incest, and human trafficking.

The bill was passed late Thursday night after clearing its final hurdle in the Florida Legislature, passing the Senate 23 to 15 vote down party lines.

On the Senate floor Thursday evening it was clear Democrats viewed the lack of exemptions for victims of rape, incest, and human trafficking as the most egregious part of the 15-week abortion ban.

“We certainly shouldn’t deny the right to make that decision to the victim of rape or incest. That is simply cruel and inhumane,” said State Senator Gary Farmer (D-Fort Lauderdale).

Democrats tried unsuccessfully multiple times throughout the legislative process to amend those exemptions onto the bill but failed each time.

“I think there’s plenty of room within this bill to be able to act appropriately,” said the sponsor of the 15-week abortion ban State Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), during debate on the amendment Wednesday evening.

It’s been known for quite some time that the Governor supports a 15-week abortion ban, but Friday he made it clear he doesn’t think exemptions for victims of rape, incest, and human trafficking are necessary or important.

When we asked Governor Ron DeSantis his thoughts on the lack of exemptions, he had a similar take as Stargel, arguing 15 weeks is plenty of time for individuals affected.

“These are protections for babies that have heartbeats, that can feel pain, and this is very, very late,” stated DeSantis directly.

State Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) on the other hand argued women often aren’t ready to seek an abortion within 15 weeks after suffering sexual abuse.

“It’s sickening to me and it’s causing people to relive their trauma. It’s not right and unfortunately, that’s sometimes how things play out,” said Nixon.

Once the Governor signs the bill it will officially go into effect on July 1st.

One thing both sides of this debate agree on is that there will likely be legal challenges that will ultimately decide whether the ban stands constitutional muster.

©2022 Cox Media Group