On Tuesday, the Alabama legislature, by a 25-6 vote in the state senate and a 74-3 vote in the house, passed what is, in effect, a complete ban on abortion.
The bill signed by Governor Kay Ivey completely outlaws abortion except when the mother’s life is in danger. However, the main intent of the law is bigger than the state of Alabama. It’s designed to challenge federal abortion laws.
The bill is scheduled to take effect six months after the governor signs it unless a court issues an injunction. That last part is key, according to Rep. Terri Collins, who says the bill provides “a vehicle to revisit the constitutionally-flawed Roe v. Wade decision.”
Like Georgia and Ohio, what we are seeing in Alabama reflects a shift in the fight against abortion from the federal courts to state legislatures. Given changes in the Supreme Court, both pro-life and pro-choice rightly assume that Roe is vulnerable.
Bills like Alabama’s are intended to give Roe that final push.
Let’s pray they’re right.
John Stonestreet is President of The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview and BreakPoint co-host.
Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published by BreakPoint and has been updated to reflect the signing of the Alabama abortion bill by Governor Kay Ivey.
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