Ohio Gov. DeWine claims he will sign an arguable 'heartbeat' abortion that former Gov. vetoed

In November last year, the Ohio House passed a six-week abortion ban called the “heartbeat bill.” However, last month former Governor John Kasich vetoed it.

On Wednesday, the new governor Mike DeWine revealed that he would sign the controversial bill.

While speaking to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on his show, Governor Mike DeWine, shared that he would sign the “heart bill.” The Republican took office last week after his election victory in November.

He also acknowledged that the act would face tremendous opposition from groups such as Planned Parenthood once it is signed into law. The new governor added, “But ultimately, this will work its way up to the United States Supreme Court. And they’ll make that decision.”

A fetus’s first detectable heartbeat can come as early as in six weeks into a pregnancy. This could also be before most women realize they’re pregnant.

It would become the most restrictive abortion regulation in the nation if it is passed. Former Governor John Kasich, also a Republican, had called the bill unconstitutional.

He vetoed the bill in the hopes of avoiding costly litigation that would result from the act’s passing. Kasich only served as governor for two terms and stepped aside because of Ohio's term-limit laws.

On Tuesday, DeWine, his wife Fran DeWine, and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted all showed up unexpectedly at an Ohio version of the national March for Life event. There the governor told the audience that government functions to "take care of those who cannot take care of themselves."

He asserted that those included unborn babies. Speaking about the bill NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland said:

“Anti-abortion ideologues should not attempt to insert politics between a patient and their physician. What we’re seeing is state legislators, John Kasich, and Mike DeWine playing politics with women’s lives. This abortion ban would block patients from the care they need and deserve. If enacted, this legislation would worsen the reproductive health care crisis in our state. The decision to have an abortion is not a political decision.”

On January 14, during his inaugural address, DeWine made it clear that his focus as governor would be the opioid crisis, early childhood development, and protecting Lake Erie. However, these goals are only set for the early months of his governorship.