COLUMBUS – The Ohio Senate just passed the Heartbeat Bill, SB 23, by a 19-13 vote. Sponsored by Senator Kristina Roegner, the Heartbeat Bill prohibits abortion once a heartbeat is detected in an unborn child.
“The Heartbeat Bill is what Ohio voters want,” said Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values. “This bill was front and center in the 2018 elections, and the voters once again overwhelmingly elected officials that value all life – born and unborn.”
“Thanks to the courageous leadership of Senator Kristina Roegner, Senate Health Committee Chairman Dave Burke, and Senate President Larry Obhof, the Ohio Senate was able to pass this life-saving bill with a strong majority. Ohio is on the brink of making history, and sending a strong message that Ohioans care deeply for our most vulnerable.”
Senators voting against the Heartbeat Bill included: Nickie Antonio (D), Matt Dolan (R), John Eklund (R), Teresa Fedor (D), Stephanie Kunze (R), Hearcel Craig (D), Tina Maharath (D), , Nathan Manning (R), Sean O’Brien (D), Vernon Sykes (D), Cecil Thomas (D), Sandra Williams (D), sand Kenny Yuko (D).. Louis Terhar (R) did not vote.
According to Roegner’s office,, the Senate also unanimously passed Senate Resolution 41, co- sponsored by Roegner, which urges Congress to pass legislation to protect innocent babies who are inadvertently born alive during an abortion procedure, known as the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
Since 2011, the Ohio Senate has passed more significant legislation to defend unborn children and protect their right to life than at any time since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark abortion ruling in 1973.
Senate Bill 23 will now be sent to the Ohio House for further consideration.
Senate Bill 23 can be read here.
