(MENAFN) Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has signed a bill that prohibits abortion pills in the state and allowed a separate measure restricting abortion to become law without his signature. In a statement, Gordon expressed concern that the Life is a Human Right Act, which restricts abortion, would result in a lawsuit that would delay any resolution to the constitutionality of the abortion ban in Wyoming.
Gordon noted that plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit filed a challenge to the new law in the event he did not issue a veto. He believes that the question needs to be decided as soon as possible so that the issue of abortion in Wyoming can be finally resolved, and that is best done with a vote of the people.
The abortion pill ban was approved by the state legislature earlier this month and prohibits the prescription, distribution, sale, or use of any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion on any person. The ban makes exceptions for rape, incest, or if the mother's life is in danger. Physicians who violate the law can be charged with a misdemeanor that comes with a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment and a fine of up to USD9,000. The ban will take effect on July 1.
This decision comes after a federal judge in Texas on Wednesday heard arguments in a lawsuit that could determine whether the Food and Drug Administration will have to withdraw its decades-old approval for the abortion drug mifepristone. The drug is commonly used in medication abortions, which account for about 40% of all abortions in the United States.
Governor Gordon's decision to sign the abortion pill ban and allow the abortion restriction law to pass without his signature reflects the ongoing political debate over abortion rights in the United States. The issue is particularly contentious in conservative states like Wyoming, where lawmakers and activists have sought to restrict access to abortion through a variety of measures.
Opponents of the abortion pill ban and the abortion restriction law argue that they infringe on women's reproductive rights and could harm women's health. Supporters of the measures, however, argue that they are necessary to protect the lives of unborn children and promote a culture of life in society.
The ongoing legal battles over abortion rights highlight the deep divisions in American society over this issue and the challenges of finding common ground on a topic that is deeply personal and morally fraught for many people. As the debate continues, it is likely that more states will seek to enact laws restricting or protecting access to abortion, setting the stage for further legal battles and political conflict.
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