New restrictions on abortions are making their way through the Florida Legislature.
This week, a Senate committee approved a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, abortion is legal in the state up to 24 weeks of gestation.
The proposed 15-week limit resembles a Mississippi law that is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The case is widely seen as a challenge to the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion rights.
The Florida bill would allow for exceptions to the 15-week limit only if two doctors certify in writing that a fetus has a “fatal fetal abnormality.”
State Sen. Kelli Stargel from Lakeland is the bill's sponsor.
Democrats, including state Sen. Lori Berman of Palm Beach County, have repeatedly criticized the measure, which does not include an exception for victims of rape or incest.
Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested that he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk. Meanwhile, a new poll this week from The University of North Florida's Public Opinion Research Lab finds a majority of Florida voters oppose new limits on abortion in the state.
Guest: Alice Miranda Ollstein, health care reporter, POLITICO.
CPAC
Former President Trump will speak Saturday night at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, rallying the GOP ahead of this year’s midterm elections and with an eye to '20-'24. The CPAC event comes as the Republican National Committee is making a push to appeal to minority voters in Florida.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was the morning speaker today. He criticized what he said were people being influenced by Marxism without knowing it. And he also took aim at mask mandates and having to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took to the stage.
Meanwhile, Democrats counter that the Republican agenda in Florida is turning voters off. In particular, they say U.S. Sen. Rick Scott has given Democrats, seeking to keep control of the Senate, a gift with the release of a controversial new plan for the country.
Guests:
- David Bergstein, director of communications, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
- Chris Walker, director of regional communications, Republican National Committee.
