Florida legislature passes 15-week abortion ban, as Murkowski seeks to codify abortion in federal law

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Abortion is in the news again: The Florida State Senate on Thursday evening passed a bill that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled he intends to support it. The Senate passed the bill 23-15, after the Florida House passed it last month.

“The bill … is part of a sweeping push by Republicans to put the state at the forefront of the nation’s culture wars,” the New York Times wrote.

Meanwhile, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski co-introduced a bill in the Senate that would codify Roe vs. Wade into federal law, permitting widespread ability for mothers to destroy their pre-born children.

The Murkowski legislation, offered along with Maine Sen. Susan Collins, would prevent laws like the one DeSantis appears to be ready to sign.

“IN GENERAL. — A State ….may not impose an undue burden on the ability of a woman to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability; may restrict the ability of a woman to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability, unless such a termination is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman; and may enact regulations to further the health or safety of a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy…”

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    Suzanne Downing founded Must Read Alaska and served as its editor for many years. Her prolific writing spans nearly every topic meaningful to Alaskans. Before founding Must Read Alaska, she served as editor of the Juneau Empire and as a speechwriter for Governor Sean Parnell.

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