Ohio governor signs ‘heartbeat’ law severely restricting abortion
- Republicans Mike DeWine says ‘it is the right thing to do’
- Law is part of effort to overturn Roe v Wade precedent
A bill imposing one of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the US was signed into law in Ohio on Thursday, banning abortions after a detectable heartbeat in a long-sought victory for abortion opponents that drew an immediate constitutional challenge.
In signing the heartbeat bill, the Republican governor, Mike DeWine, broke with his predecessor, fellow Republican John Kasich, who had vetoed the measure twice on grounds that it was unconstitutional.