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BATON ROUGE, La. ? The Louisiana House approved a ban on most abortions, a largely symbolic bill that could go into effect only if the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1973 decision is overturned.
The measure would allow abortion in cases when the woman's life is in danger or childbirth would permanently harm her health. The bill passed 85-17 and heads to the Senate.
It could take effect only under two circumstances: if the U.S. Constitution is amended to allow states to ban abortion; or if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down its own Roe v. Wade ruling, which provided for a woman's right to an abortion.
The bill is similar to a South Dakota law passed this year that is expected to land before the high court.
Passage of the Louisiana bill was not in doubt; the fight centered on whether to allow exceptions for rape and incest victims. The amendment failed after opponents argued that the bill should prevent as many abortions as possible.
Under the bill, doctors found guilty of performing abortions would face up to 10 years in prison and fines of $100,000.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who campaigned as an anti-abortion candidate, has not said whether she would support such a strict ban.
Round 2. There are probably plenty of other states where the will of the people through the legislatures would pass similar statutes.
BATON ROUGE, La. ? The Louisiana House approved a ban on most abortions, a largely symbolic bill that could go into effect only if the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1973 decision is overturned.
The measure would allow abortion in cases when the woman's life is in danger or childbirth would permanently harm her health. The bill passed 85-17 and heads to the Senate.
It could take effect only under two circumstances: if the U.S. Constitution is amended to allow states to ban abortion; or if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down its own Roe v. Wade ruling, which provided for a woman's right to an abortion.
The bill is similar to a South Dakota law passed this year that is expected to land before the high court.
Passage of the Louisiana bill was not in doubt; the fight centered on whether to allow exceptions for rape and incest victims. The amendment failed after opponents argued that the bill should prevent as many abortions as possible.
Under the bill, doctors found guilty of performing abortions would face up to 10 years in prison and fines of $100,000.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who campaigned as an anti-abortion candidate, has not said whether she would support such a strict ban.
Round 2. There are probably plenty of other states where the will of the people through the legislatures would pass similar statutes.
