This week marked the 51st anniversary that the United States Supreme Court declared access to abortion a constitutional right. That happened in the Roe vs. Wade decision. Nearly two years after the Supreme Court affirmed the Dobbs decision, the Georgia Democrats vowed to get abortion rights on the ballot in November. Georgia is following the leads of New York and Maryland, seeking to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state’s constitution.
“Last year we joined this fight to elevate the voices of the people and do whatever we can to ensure our voices are heard and honored,” said Georgia Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler Monday afternoon. “That is why I introduced Senate Resolution 136 to allow Georgians to decide whether we want to protect reproductive freedom by and thriving in our state constitution. Following the long tradition to protect our patients rights in Georgia.”
Currently, Georgia’s Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act bans most abortions the moment “a detectable human heartbeat” is present. It states cardiac activity can be detected by ultrasound in cells within an embryo that will become the heart. That process could take place as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, before many pregnancies are detected.