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Louisiana Governor: I'd 'Be Inclined' to Sign Proposed 15-Week Abortion Ban

(Updated)

John Bel Edwards / Getty Images
March 23, 2018

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D.) on Wednesday expressed a willingness to sign a proposal to ban abortion procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

State Sen. John Milkovich (D.) is sponsoring the bill, and Edwards said on his monthly radio call-in show that, should the bill make it to his desk, he is likely to sign it.

"It remains to be seen whether that bill will make its way through the process," Edwards said. "I would be inclined to sign it if it hits my desk."

Edwards also described himself as "very much a pro-life individual." He said he has not spoken to Milkovich or any other interested parties about the bill.

This proposal comes after Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R.) on Monday signed a similar bill banning abortion after 15 weeks. The only abortion clinic in Mississippi, Jackson Women's Health Organization, immediately sued the state, leading a federal judge to temporarily block the law from taking effect.

The same day as Edwards' comments, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) took a shot at Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp for doing what Edwards, a Democrat, did. Kemp expressed support for a 15-week abortion ban on Twitter, and the DGA's Twitter account alerted its readers with a dire warning about such a law going into effect, but it did not mention Edwards.

"This Georgia Republican running for governor is threatening to sign the 'toughest abortion laws in the country' and restrict Georgia women’s access to health care," the tweet reads.

https://twitter.com/DemGovs/status/976443570600202241

The DGA has remained silent on Edwards' comments. The organization did not respond immediately to the Free Beacon for comment.

Bryant said he was "proud" to sign the law and is "committed to making Mississippi the safest place in America for an unborn child."

UPDATE 12:32 P.M.: This post was updated to include the DGA's tweet about Brian Kemp's support for a 15-week abortion ban.