Students React To “Heartbeat Bill” Veto
Grace James
Contributing Writer
On Dec. 21, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed Senate Bill 145 into law, which prohibits a common method of abortion used in the second trimester of pregnancy called dilation and evacuation.
However, Kasich vetoed the “Heartbeat bill,” which would have banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat was detected. He did so under the belief that the bill would go against Supreme Court rulings on abortion.
Bailey Johnson, president of UD’s Feminists United, was pleased the “Heartbeat bill” was not signed into law.
“I am of course grateful that Kasich once again vetoed the heartbeat bill because that bill would be even more dangerous for women’s reproductive rights, as it drastically shortens the window of time in which women may receive a safe and legal abortion,” she said.
In 2016, Kasich similarly vetoed a “Heartbeat bill” but signed into law a ban on abortion after 20 weeks gestation.
On the other hand, president of Flyers for Life, Victoria Karutz, was disappointed in Kasich’s decision.
“In my opinion, Governor Kasich has timidly walked a fine line between wanting to be pro-life and seeking to keep doors open to further a political career,” she said. “His decision may be representative in his desire to run for President, and the false notion that his veto in this bill would improve his chances of winning.”
The Ohio Senate voted to override the veto but fell short by one vote. The override passed through the Ohio House 61-28, but the Senate only received 19 of the 20 votes needed.
There is still a possibility the “Heartbeat bill” could be signed into law with the inauguration of Ohio’s new governor, Mike DeWine. DeWine was sworn in as the 70th governor of Ohio on Jan. 14 at his farm in Cedarville.
“DeWine has been outspoken in his desire to radically improve the foster care system, he believes in the priceless nature of human life,” Karutz said.
DeWine has previously said he would pass the “Heartbeat bill.” He stated he would do so under legal opinions that Roe v. Wade (the 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationally) was incorrectly decided.
“Ohio Republicans want [the ‘Heartbeat bill’] to be sent to the courts to see if Roe v Wade will be eroded or weakened, especially in light of the new justices on the Supreme Court,” said Sarah Kuhns, secretary of Feminists United. “I hope that the courts will continue to uphold the precedent that Roe v Wade provides or there may be a threat to the legitimacy of our third branch of government in addition to the limitation of a woman’s freedom.”
Photo taken from Betsy Ross Ameriflag.