Florida Senate Appropriations Committee approves bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks

A controversial abortion bill has taken another step forward. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved this legislation that would ban abortions after 15 weeks.

WINK News reporter Gail Levy was monitoring the conversation all day.

The abortion fight continued with a new group of lawmakers. But this conversation had the same arguments and the same results.

Senate Republicans know they have the votes to get the bill passed, and so do Democrats. And on Monday, Florida Democrats appeared defeated.

The version of this bill in the Florida senate mirrors the bill in the Florida House. The measure is supposed to ban nearly all abortions after 15 weeks. And, there are no exceptions for rape and incest.

The only exceptions that do exist are if there is a threat to the mother’s life, if the mother would lose major bodily function or if there is a fetal abnormality. And that abnormality has to be approved by two doctors.

State Sen. Linda Stewart attempted to amend an attachment that would allow a woman to get the approval of only one doctor. That amendment failed.

Sen. Kelli Stargel says second opinions are necessary. “I believe whenever any person gets shocking information about something that is going on with their body, I think it’s always prudent to get that second opinion,” Sen. Stargel.

Sen. Stargel sponsored the bill, and no opinions were held back during public comment.

“This bill is forced pregnancy, forced birth, literally forced labor. There is no greater governmental intrusion.”

“The metaphysical argument when life begins is answered in the home. Not another’s womb.”

But, of course, not everyone sees it that way. “We can do more. This is a great step, it’s a step in a great direction, but much more can be done.”

“I can stand in support of the 62 million babies that have been murdered in my short lifetime that were created in the image of God.”

The next step for the bill is heading to the full Senate, where it will almost certainly pass. Then, it will go to Governor DeSantis, who has already signaled his support. If Gov. DeSantis signs the bill, it will become law on Jul. 1.

And Florida can expect legal challenges soon after.