In a significant victory for Republicans, North Carolina’s Republican-dominated legislature successfully upheld a bill on Tuesday night that will ban most abortions after 12 weeks, overriding the recent veto by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. The decision, made possible by the slim Republican supermajority, marks a substantial change for abortion access in the state, where abortions are currently legal up to 20 weeks. The vote also has implications for women across the South who have traveled to North Carolina for abortions, as their access to the procedure will now be restricted.
The new law, known as Senate Bill 20, is set to take effect on July 1. It includes exceptions for cases of rape, incest, certain fetal abnormalities, and when the life of the mother is at risk. Additionally, the law requires detailed reporting of abortion procedures to state health regulators, introduces longer waiting periods, and mandates more in-person medical visits to obtain an abortion.
The override of Governor Cooper’s veto was not entirely unexpected due to the Republican supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature. However, the outcome was not guaranteed, as a single vote could have shifted the balance. The Senate voted in favor of the override, followed by the House shortly after. As the House approved the ban, protesters in the chamber’s gallery expressed their disapproval with chants of “Shame! Shame! Shame!”
House Speaker Tim Moore, in a statement following the override vote, expressed pride in the House’s decision to pass the legislation, referring to it as “meaningful, mainstream legislation.” The ban, however, faced strong opposition from abortion-rights activists who argue that it will prevent women from accessing abortion services across the South and put lives at risk.
Recent polling indicates that a majority of voters support North Carolina’s current abortion access, which permits abortions up to 20 weeks or even advocates for expanding it further. Roughly one-third of voters favor further restrictions or an outright ban on abortion.
The override represents a significant setback for Governor Cooper and his political allies, who rallied against the bill and urged constituents to contact legislators to vote against the ban. The successful override comes as a blow to their efforts, highlighting the challenge of persuading Republicans to vote against their party’s line.
The passage of the 12-week abortion ban in North Carolina is seen as a litmus test for Republicans, especially in swing states like North Carolina. While the Republican Party is advancing abortion restrictions legislatively, they face political challenges due to public opinion and the potential impact on their standing with the broader electorate.
Governor Cooper and other Democrats have vowed to continue fighting for abortion rights in the state, but their next steps remain uncertain. The intense debates surrounding the bill in both the House and the Senate showcased the strong emotions and deep divisions on the issue among legislators.
Opponents of the bill, including businesses like Yelp, Lush Cosmetics, and Death & Taxes restaurant, signed a petition expressing concern that the abortion restrictions could harm North Carolina’s reputation as a business-friendly state. They argue that such limitations could deter future investment and erode the trust of companies already operating in the state.
As the 12-week abortion ban becomes law in North Carolina, the contentious issue of abortion rights continues to shape the political landscape, with advocates on both sides determined to push their agendas forward.