On Saturday, the Republican-led Indiana state Senate passed a bill to ban most abortions.
The bill was passed with a 26 to 20 vote and will head to the House.
Ten Republicans joined 10 Democrats to oppose Senate Bill 1, and one Democrat was absent Saturday.
The legislation would ban abortions starting when a fertilized egg implants in a uterus. There are exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is at risk.
A woman seeking an abortion for an exception would be “required to sign a notarized affidavit attesting to the attack,” reported Fox News.
Republican Sen. Mike Young was against having exceptions for rape and incest. “Exceptions equal death for unborn innocent children,” he said, according to WFYI-TV.
Republican Sen. Sue Glick called the bill’s passing a “huge step forward in protecting the life of the unborn children in our state”.
Before the vote, other lawmakers spoke out against the bill. GOP Sen. Vaneta Becker said “Women deserve to have us protect their lives and free will. Senate Bill 1 destroys both. Shame on us for doing this”.
“We are considering dictating medical decisions with blinders and ignorant of the astounding, unintended consequences we are creating,” she added.
Democratic Sen. Tim Lanane said the bill was a product of a male-dominated Legislature. “This is the government, the male-dominated government of the state of Indiana, saying to the women of this state, you lose your choice”.
In the House, proposed changes could come as soon as next week, the second week of lawmakers’ three-week special session.