Louisiana's Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, a Catholic, said he will sign into law a measure that makes nearly all abortions illegal in the state once the fetal heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks.
In a 79-23 vote, the state House approved the so-called "heartbeat bill" May 29. The state Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill May 6. It has no exceptions for rape or incest but would allow abortions only to prevent a pregnant woman's death or in cases of "serious risk" to her health.
