Arkansas Gov. Asa Huchinson Signs Bill to Ban Abortions, Save 3,000 Babies Every Year

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a law Tuesday to ban the killing of unborn babies in abortions throughout the state.

Prior to signing the law, the Republican governor expressed hopes that it will prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade, KNWA News 5 reports.

“I will sign SB6 because of overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “SB6 is in contradiction of binding precedents of the U.S. Supreme Court, but it is the intent of the legislation to set the stage for the Supreme Court overturning current case law. I would have preferred the legislation to include the exceptions for rape and incest, which has been my consistent view, and such exceptions would increase the chances for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

The Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act (Senate Bill 6) passed the state legislature by a strong majority. If enacted, the bill would ban all abortions in the state. The only exceptions would be if the mother’s life or health are at risk. Abortionists who violate the ban would face up to 10 years in prison. Women would not be punished.