Florida 6-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect

    Florida 6-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect
    Image copyright: Mark Wallheiser/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    The Facts

    • A law restricting most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect Wednesday in Florida, which previously had a law restricting the procedure after 15 weeks.

    • By enacting this law, Florida joins with nearly every other state in the region that has tightened restrictions on abortions since the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.


    The Spin

    Right narrative

    Florida's abortion law is in line with science (six weeks is often when a baby's heartbeat becomes detectable) and public opinion (according to recent polling). No amount of fear-mongering by the radical left can obscure the fact that this law will save tens of thousands of children's lives while protecting women by including several exceptions and continuing to provide women with emergency medical care when they need it.

    Left narrative

    By enacting this law, Florida has lost its status as a safe harbor for those in the state and the southeastern region seeking abortions. Luckily, democracy moves on, and not only has the right's draconian law inspired record-breaking fundraising in opposition to the ban, but a popular amendment to overturn the law will be on the ballot on Election Day. Abortion rights aren't dead yet.

    Nerd narrative

    There's a 50% chance that Casey-era abortion rights will be granted in 56% of US states on May 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.



    Political split

    LEFT

    RIGHT

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