On Monday, 19 March, Republican Governor, Phil Bryant, signed a bill banning most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.
The only exceptions to the bill are cases where the foetus has health problems “incompatible with life”, or if the life of a pregnant woman or one of her “major bodily functions” is threatened by pregnancy.
Abortion supporters believe that the measure targets the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, namely the Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which performs abortions up to the sixteenth week post-conception. They immediately contested the new bill before the courts on the grounds of violating the US Constitution.
Speaker of the House, Philip Gunn, who attended the ceremony, was pleased to see Mississippi taking measures to protect “the most vulnerable”, i.e. the unborn children.
Reuters, Frances Kerry et Peter Cooney (19/3/2018), Time, Jeff Amy et Sarah Mearhoff (19/3/2018)