Arkansas House Overrides Governor Veto On ‘Heartbeat’ Abortion

The Arkansas House of Representatives voted to override a veto from Governor Mike Beebe regarding a controversial “heartbeat” abortion bill, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported on Wednesday, February 27.

The override passed by a vote of 53-28 with 19 abstaining. Prior to Beebe’s veto, the bill passed by a wider margin of 80-10.

The Democrat-Gazette noted that the Arkansas Senate has also approved the bill by a 25-7 vote, and that a simple majority is all that is necessary to override a governor’s veto.

Under the “heartbeat” abortion bill, abortions will be limited to the first 20 weeks of gestation, after which all procedures will be banned.

The Huffington Post noted on Tuesday that Beebe would not support the legislation because “it would impose a ban on a woman’s right to choose an elective, non-therapeutic abortion before viability.”

Beebe added that the bill “if it became law, would squarely contradict Supreme Court precedent.”

“When I was sworn in as governor I took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend both the Arkansas Constitution and the Constitution of the United States. I take that oath seriously,” Beebe said.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has vowed to fight the bill.

Do you think 20 weeks is long enough for abortion to be legal, or should it continue up to and including partial-birth?

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