South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Plans to Ban Abortions after Six Weeks of Pregnancy
On Tuesday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced that she plans to push legislation to outlaw abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
According to the Associated Press, Noem announced the abortion ban during her first term’s final State of the State address. During the speech, Noem listed conservative-related priorities, such as the abortion ban, barring trans athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams and giving state residents easier access to get a permit to obtain concealed firearms.
“Abortions have dropped by 80 percent in South Dakota over the last decade, but there is more that we can do to protect unborn lives,” the Republican governor tweeted.
“We must end abortions once a heartbeat can be detected. Any abortion after that point stops that child’s heartbeat – stops that gift from God,” she asserted.
Noem’s proposal was met with a standing ovation from the Republican-led legislature, Argus Leader reports.
“There was more applause and more standing ovations than I can ever remember,” said Republican Sen. Jim Bolin. “She has a strong economic record to run on, and she’s definitely appealing to social conservatives with a number of her initiatives.”
She also plans to push for legislation allowing for prayer in schools and banning controversial material on race, such as Critical Race Theory, from being taught in classrooms. Further, Noem ensured state residents that they can apply for religious or medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“In South Dakota, we protect freedom, and we will pass it on to our children, and we will not allow freedom to go extinct,” she said, as she criticized other states for enacting COVID-19 related restrictions.
In 2021, Noem enacted several pro-life laws, including an abortion ban on babies with down syndrome and blocking telemedicine abortions.
Last Thursday, state legislators approved abortion pill restrictions enacted through Noem’s telemedicine abortion ban. Under the restriction, pregnant women can only take an abortion pill at a licensed state abortion facility and can no longer take the medication at home.
Related:
South Dakota Gov. Signs Bill Banning Abortions of Down Syndrome Babies
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Signs Executive Order Blocking Telemedicine Abortions
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Brandon Bell/Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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