Nearly all abortions banned in Arkansas after governor signs sweeping new law

Asa Hutchinson signs sweeping abortion law ban nto law

Credit: Andrew Demillo/AP

Sweeping legislation banning nearly all abortions in the southern state of Arkansas has been signed into law by the governor, Asa Hutchinson.

The act will only permit abortion when the mother’s life is at risk. There will be no exemptions for cases of rape or incest.

Although he is an opponent of abortion, Mr Hutchinson is understood to have had some reservations about the extent of the new law.

He said he was signing the measure because of its “overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions."

The measure will not come into force until the summer.

Republican-controlled Arkansas is one of at least 14 states where legislation imposing almost complete bans on abortion are under consideration.

Pro-life campaigners want to get the abortion issue back before the US Supreme Court

Credit: Oliver Contreras/Bloomberg

Underpinning the moves is the determination of anti-abortion campaigners to get the issue back before the Supreme Court which now has a 6-3 conservative majority following the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett to the bench by Donald Trump.

They are hoping the court will overturn the 1973 1973 Roe V Wade ruling which legalised abortion across the country.

"The intent of the legislation to set the stage for the Supreme Court overturning current case law," Mr Hutchinson said in a statement.

“I would have preferred the legislation to include the exceptions for rape and incest, which has been my consistent view, and such exceptions would increase the chances for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

However, during the presidential election campaign Joe Biden pledged to make the Roe v Wade judgment "the law of the land".

Over the weekend pro-choice campaigners gathered outside the Arkansas State Capitol to voice their opposition to the bill, accusing legislators of "government overreach"

Aly Taylor is the co-founder and president of Arkansas Abortion Support Network said the measure would deny women healthcare.

 “I believe that every person has the right to make their own decision about pregnancy, birth or parenting."