In the days following Florida Republicans sweeping victories across the Sunshine state, the new supermajorities are considering passing heavier abortion restrictions in the upcoming legislative session.
The incoming Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) announced on Friday that she would support restricting abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy as long as there are exceptions for victims of rape and incest. This would be a notable change from Florida’s current abortion law, which bans abortions after 15 weeks unless it’s medically necessary to save the mother’s life, prevent serious injury, or if the fetus has a fatal irregularity.
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In an interview with the Miami Herald, Passidomo insisted these additional exceptions would be necessary for her to support a stricter ban.
“I went on record on the abortion bill in support of an exclusion for rape and incest, and I’d like to see that. And I think in order to accomplish that, I think we would have to reduce the weeks. I don’t have a problem going to 12 weeks.”
Passidomo has also expressed hesitation on significantly stronger restrictions, like Heartbeat bills, and has balked at Texas’ style of community enforcement, calling it a “slippery slope,” according to Florida Politics.
Passidomo is not directly involved with the group discussing stricter restrictions. Her stake in the matter comes from being part of a failed bipartisan effort to add these exceptions to the current 15-week ban. Governor Ron DeSantis, who won by a landslide 20 points on Tuesday, has said he supports stricter bans. In the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v Wade, which kicked the issue of abortion back to the states, DeSantis promised to “expand pro-life protections.”
DeSantis expressed pride in his debate with Charlie Crist about what had been accomplished.
“Not everyone is born into perfect circumstances, but I would like to see everybody have a shot. I’m proud of the 15 weeks we did.”
Pro-Life activist groups have lauded Florida for its progress but continue to call for more restrictions.
Remember, #Florida cannot be truly free until it's TOTALLY #abortion free! #FloridaVoiceForTheUnborn looks forward to working with Sen. Passidomo, @Paul_Renner, and @GovRonDeSantis to ensure that happens quickly! #No_More_Excuses
Cc: @JamesUthmeierFL
#SuperMajority! #FlaPol https://t.co/mxogvWVINK— Florida Voice for the Unborn (@UnbornVoiceFL) November 9, 2022
Democrats, who now have super minority status in the House and Senate, cannot stop or even delay Republican lawmaking efforts.
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