Late in the evening Thursday, amid tears, personal stories, and fears about women’s freedom, the Florida Senate approved a 15-week abortion ban for Florida, allowing the legislation to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his consideration.
The bill passed on a party-line vote of 23 to 15, with Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia, of Miami-Dade, not voting. Garcia had said in debate that, “I don’t believe in the death penalty and I don’t believe in abortions.”
The Senate vote was a foregone conclusion: Before the debate on HB 5, President Wilton Simpson said, “I think the Senate is going to pass the bill and I think the Supreme Court will pass it—these mothers will still have options as long as it’s before 15 weeks.”
The state House had already approved the bill.
On Thursday in the Senate, multiple Democrats offered arguments, but to no avail — that abortion represents needed health care for many women; that the state provides insufficient support for mothers and children; that the bill lacks protections for survivors of rape and incest or victims of human trafficking.
The only exemption in the bill is for fatal fetal deformities and if the mother’s life is in jeopardy.
Democratic Sen. Janet Cruz, of Hillsborough County, gave a perspective on being a teen mom and making a decision on keeping her child.
“I was sixteen and pregnant and ignored it far after 15 weeks but I decided what do with my family — it wasn’t the government decision. Taking this away from women takes away from their freedom and puts them in danger,” Cruz said.
State Sen. Annette Taddeo, a Democrat from Miami-Dade, said: “We’re supposed to be making laws for everyone — not for people who can afford it. We are supposed to focus on real issues in Florida and this ain’t one of them.”
Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book said, “If we are so free, why are we taking away woman’s freedom — her family, her future. Yesterday it became clear there will be no exception for women who are raped. This an assault on women’s rights. This is not okay.”
Sen. Randolph Bracy, a Democrat from Orange County, was concerned about rape and incest issues. “The fact we didn’t make any exception for rape and incest scares me,” Bracy said. “I have two young girls and if this happened to them I would be scared — this is cruel and I can’t support this.”
Republican Sen. Danny Burgess, of Central Florida, stood up to say that, “As a man I have been told to stay out of this is, but this is an important bill —I believe that life begins at conception. This bill is about my faith, that we are killing babies.”
State Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Senate sponsor of the bill, said she never believed that she would be standing in the Senate chamber and saving babies’ lives.
The bill (HB 5) violates decades of U.S. Supreme Court precedent but Republicans expect the justices to toss aside that jurisprudence in a pending case testing similar legislation already approved in Mississippi, which is still under review.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s new conservative supermajority appears to have the votes, if it wants, to overrule Roe v. Wade, which established a fundamental privacy right to abortion services through fetal viability, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which bars states from erecting undue burdens to the procedure.
The Florida Supreme Court has recognized a right to abortion under the Florida Constitution, but it’s unclear whether the new conservative majority there would respect that precedent; the new justices have proven quite willing to reverse even relatively recent precedents.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that the right to privacy under the Florida Constitution was broad enough to invalidate a law requiring parental consent for minors to undergo abortions.
–Imani Thomas, Florida Phoenix
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Mark says
Well I hope RepubliCons are ready to step up to the table and start adopting or to offer money for adoption agencies to house all the unwanted children. More money for the Mothers to care for these unplanned children, some that may be the product of rape, incest or deadbeat Dads. I would think this session of the Legislature will wake up many that Vote for the GOP and start getting representation for what they truly believe in. Vote People.
MikeM says
Is this all about money to you ?
David says
Evidently it is to you Mike. Every thing that DUH-Santis does costs this State money and this abortion bill will do the same. Whether it’s in Court or through the effects of the bill.
Bailey’s Mom says
Unbelievable…every person has the right to choose their healthcare options Except if you are a Women or can’t afford healthcare then the Government will tell you what to do.
Unacceptable Florida!
Vote them Out!
Get the elephant out of my womb and worry more about your penis and the continued assaults & violence against girls & women.
William Moya says
“Screw Modernity, full speed ahead retrograde mode”
IfMenGotPregnantAbortionsWouldBeAtWalmart says
My body, my choice, unless you’re a woman, a POC, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community. So, unless you’re a white hetero cis-man you can forget about your body, your choice. White male fragility at its finest. Their last standing gasp before they become the minority.
C.J. says
Only 23 people can cast Florida women into servitude removing their basic right to health care and self determination, what next?? Change labor laws thereby mandating them to work unpaid after 40 hours a week. Or, maybe removing their right to vote, impose a reduced minimum wage for women? I see little positive about the future state of Florida, its outside of growth owing to northerners who have no idea how backward this state is, e.g. its school systems and demoralization of educators, its medical care infrastructure which appears designed to prevent any patient-physician communication, its roadway systems that promote accidents and chaos. Shall I go on…
TIRED OF EXCUSES says
I am one that doesn’t believe in abortions. But usually a woman knows she’s pregnant before 15 weeks. Unless its rape or incest, if you are not take percautioins on both sides then dont do it.
Don't Cull Me says
Today’s birth control pills work in such a way that most women barely have period if they have one at all and some are taken for 3 months straight with “barely there” spotting every three months. So no, you might not know you are pregnant until after the 15 week mark. Accidents happen and no birth control is 100% effective. And we all know that if a woman is using birth control, her “man” is going to opt out nine times out of 10, leaving the burden to prevent pregnancy on the woman.
As I have stated in other posts – how about you men keeping it in your pants. Or better yet lets mandate reversible vasectomies!!
Shame on all those who voted to pass this law.
Heathen Lady says
Did you not read the article? No exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking!
I am one who doesn’t believe in sticking my nose in other people’s business.
Mary Fusco says
I, personally do not believe in abortion. I also do not believe that is the State’s job to support mothers and children. If two consenting adults have unprotected sex, it is their job to support the life they created. No one is saying a woman can’t have an abortion, just not after 15 weeks. I am sure the pregnancy tests are out long before that. As for rape or incest, that is absolutely wrong and should have separate provision. Many of these victims are petrified to come forward. In addition, abnormalities with the fetus or the mother’s health should have separate provisions.
Trailer Bob says
I guess that is pretty much where I stand also. But I did get a woman pregnant when we were both younger, and the mother decided to keep the baby.
Today I have a great relationship with both my son, my granddaughter, and my Great granddaughter.
My life, and those of my granddaughter and great- granddaughter are awesome.
It’s called responsibility, love, and caring…and family. So I guess it is up to the parents on which route they take.
Mark says
This is not a forward move.
Susan says
How about all women vote on males to have their private parts cut off. Let’s vote on that since they seem to feel they can tell woman what they can and cannot do with their bodies.
DeathSantis will do anything if he thinks it will get him a vote for the presidency. Out of himself is who he is.
So, when a Republican politician’s daughter or granddaughter is raped are they going to raise that unwanted child from a violent rape. I want to hear what they will do when that happens.
Alonzo says
I am male but well said Susan.
Alonzo says
Thanks, Repubs. Another good reason you will not get my vote.