Louisiana Senate Passes Anti-Abortion Bill
Members of the Louisiana Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday for what apparently is the strictest anti-abortion bill in the nation, outlawing all abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when a mother’s life is in danger.
The 29-9 vote sent the bill, previously passed by the House, to Republican Gov. Buddy Roemer for his approval or veto. The legislation passed by more than two-thirds margins in each house, heightening the possibility that, unlike last year, an override attempt against a gubernatorial veto could succeed.
“Nothing is veto-proof, of course,” said state Sen. Sam Theriot, the Democratic author of the bill, “but we would hope that this governor would stand by his words last year (describing exceptions he would require in order to sign an anti-abortion bill).”
Theriot, who said his bill was designed to meet Roemer’s requirements, predicted the legislation would become the vehicle to test Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion.
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