In Florida, Republican legislators have halted a controversial bill that aims to grant new protections to "unborn children," amid fears it could negatively affect women's reproductive rights.

Opponents of the bill have raised concerns over its potential impact on in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, even as the bill&nbsp;easily passed through several committees.

<h2>The 'foetal personhood' bill</h2>

Florida's 'foetal personhood' seeks to define a foetus as an "unborn child".&nbsp;This would have extended civil negligence laws to protect foetuses.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-explains-the-embryos-are-babies-debate-and-how-it-will-affect-2024-us-presidential-elections-692761">WION Explains: The 'embryos are babies' debate and how it will affect 2024 US Presidential elections</a>

Supporters, as per The Washington Post, argue that the bill was necessary to align civil law with existing state criminal law, which already imposes additional penalties for harming pregnant women. However, opponents warned that the bill was an effort to establish "foetal personhood",&nbsp;putting abortion providers and those assisting women in obtaining abortions at risk of lawsuits.

State Senator Erin Grall, the bill's sponsor, acknowledged the need for further work on the policy, stating, "Although I have worked diligently to respond to questions and concerns, I understand there is still work that needs to be done."

"It is important we get the policy right with an issue of this significance," added Grall.

<h2>Till when is the 'foetal personhood' bill on pause?</h2>

A Senate Rules Committee hearing for a companion bill was removed from the calendar, with no further meetings scheduled before the session ends on March 8, making it unlikely for the bill to advance.

Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who sponsored the bill in the House, emphasised its focus on the "value of the life of an unborn child," stating it was not intended to address protections for IVF and embryos.

However, opponents, like Democratic Representative Dotie Joseph, have raised concerns about the bill's language.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/embryos-are-babies-nikki-haley-agrees-with-alabama-supreme-court-ivf-ruling-692583">'Embryos are babies': Nikki Haley agrees with Alabama Supreme Court's IVF ruling</a>

"We are exposing the healthcare provider to liability if something goes wrong," said Joseph.

"You have a situation where you are creating a chilling effect for people who are proactively trying to have a baby," she added.

The bill's impact on doctors was also a point of contention, with lobbyist Mark Delegal highlighting concerns about potential damages and increased liabilities for physicians.

<h2>Alabama 'embryos are babies' row</h2>

This development comes as the Republican Party faces political fallout following a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling declaring embryos as children.&nbsp;

Initially quiet on the ruling, conservative lawmakers are now expressing support for IVF, and women's reproductive rights in an election year.

Watch |&nbsp;Are frozen embryos Children? Alabama Supreme Court gives first-of-its-kind decision

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/are-frozen-embryos-children-alabama-supreme-court-gives-first-of-its-kind-decision-692484/embed" width="560"></iframe>

The debate in Florida is set against the backdrop of the state Supreme Court considering a proposed amendment to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. It also coincides with a legal challenge to the state's 15-week abortion ban.

While similar bills in other states have failed to pass, legal experts suggest the Alabama ruling could embolden the "personhood movement," a concern long-held by abortion rights advocates since the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

(With inputs from agencies)

In Florida, Republican legislators have halted a controversial bill that aims to grant new protections to "unborn children," amid fears it could negatively affect women's reproductive rights.

In Florida, Republican legislators have halted a controversial bill that aims to grant new protections to "unborn children," amid fears it could negatively affect women's reproductive rights. Opponents of the bill have raised concerns over its potential impact on in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, even as the bill easily passed through several committees. The 'foetal personhood' bill Florida's 'foetal personhood' seeks to define a foetus as an "unborn child". This would have extended civil negligence laws to protect foetuses. Also read | WION Explains: The 'embryos are babies' debate and how it will affect 2024 US Presidential elections Supporters, as per The Washington Post, argue that the bill was necessary to align civil law with existing state criminal law, which already imposes additional penalties for harming pregnant women. However, opponents warned that the bill was an effort to establish "foetal personhood", putting abortion providers and those assisting women in obtaining abortions at risk of lawsuits. State Senator Erin Grall, the bill's sponsor, acknowledged the need for further work on the policy, stating, "Although I have worked diligently to respond to questions and concerns, I understand there is still work that needs to be done." "It is important we get the policy right with an issue of this significance," added Grall. Till when is the 'foetal personhood' bill on pause? A Senate Rules Committee hearing for a companion bill was removed from the calendar, with no further meetings scheduled before the session ends on March 8, making it unlikely for the bill to advance. Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who sponsored the bill in the House, emphasised its focus on the "value of the life of an unborn child," stating it was not intended to address protections for IVF and embryos. However, opponents, like Democratic Representative Dotie Joseph, have raised concerns about the bill's language. Also read | 'Embryos are babies': Nikki Haley agrees with Alabama Supreme Court's IVF ruling "We are exposing the healthcare provider to liability if something goes wrong," said Joseph. "You have a situation where you are creating a chilling effect for people who are proactively trying to have a baby," she added. The bill's impact on doctors was also a point of contention, with lobbyist Mark Delegal highlighting concerns about potential damages and increased liabilities for physicians. Alabama 'embryos are babies' row This development comes as the Republican Party faces political fallout following a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling declaring embryos as children. Initially quiet on the ruling, conservative lawmakers are now expressing support for IVF, and women's reproductive rights in an election year. Watch | Are frozen embryos Children? Alabama Supreme Court gives first-of-its-kind decision The debate in Florida is set against the backdrop of the state Supreme Court considering a proposed amendment to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. It also coincides with a legal challenge to the state's 15-week abortion ban. While similar bills in other states have failed to pass, legal experts suggest the Alabama ruling could embolden the "personhood movement," a concern long-held by abortion rights advocates since the reversal of Roe v. Wade. (With inputs from agencies)

Florida halts 'foetal personhood' bill amid concerns over reproduction rights

United States former president Donald Trump on Friday (Feb 23) said that he supports&nbsp;IVF treatment, as he joined the list of Republicans who have distanced themselves from a ruling given by an Alabama court over the issue. 
 
The top court of the state last week ruled that frozen embryos have similar rights as children and that people can be held&nbsp;liable for destroying them. After the court's ruling, at least three clinics halted IVF treatment. 
 
Speaking about the issue&nbsp;Trump asked Alabama to find "an immediate solution". 
 
"We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America," wrote the former president, on his Truth Social platform.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-asks-campaign-aides-to-focus-on-crazy-s-that-trump-says-report-692167">Biden asks campaign aides to focus on ‘crazy s*** that Trump says': Report</a>

"[Like] the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby," he added. 
 
This was the first time Trump commented on the issue and hinted at his opposition to a ruling which, according to some Republicans, can harm them electorally by disturbing their plans to win the support of suburban women and also swing voters.

<h2 lang="en-US">'Ruling not intended&nbsp;to prosecute IVF providers'</h2>

Meanwhile on Friday (Feb 23) Alabama's Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall, in an effort to ease the concerns regarding IVF in the state, said that he does not intend to prosecute either the providers of IVF or the families of those opting for IVF. 
 
The National Republican Senate Committee, distancing itself from the Alabama ruling, sent out a memo to candidates in which it asked them to support IVF and "campaign on increasing access" to the treatment.

Watch:&nbsp;US: Trump seeks to dismiss Mar-a-Lago classified documents case

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-trump-seeks-to-dismiss-mar-a-lago-classified-documents-case-693223/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"There are zero Republican Senate candidates who support efforts to restrict access to fertility treatments," said the committee's executive director, Jason Thielman, in the memo as reported by BBC. 
 
The memo further cited the data of internal polling conducted by Kellyanne Conway, who once was Trump's White House adviser, to show that access to IVF is popular. 
 
Meanwhile, various Senate candidates, including Kari Lake in Arizona, also came out publicly in support of access to the treatment after the circulation of the memo.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States former president Donald Trump on Friday (Feb 23) said that he supports IVF treatment, as he joined the list of Republicans who have distanced themselves from a ruling given by an Alabama court over the issue.

United States former president Donald Trump on Friday (Feb 23) said that he supports IVF treatment, as he joined the list of Republicans who have distanced themselves from a ruling given by an Alabama court over the issue. The top court of the state last week ruled that frozen embryos have similar rights as children and that people can be held liable for destroying them. After the court's ruling, at least three clinics halted IVF treatment. Speaking about the issue Trump asked Alabama to find "an immediate solution". "We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America," wrote the former president, on his Truth Social platform. Also Read: Biden asks campaign aides to focus on ‘crazy s*** that Trump says': Report "[Like] the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby," he added. This was the first time Trump commented on the issue and hinted at his opposition to a ruling which, according to some Republicans, can harm them electorally by disturbing their plans to win the support of suburban women and also swing voters. 'Ruling not intended to prosecute IVF providers' Meanwhile on Friday (Feb 23) Alabama's Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall, in an effort to ease the concerns regarding IVF in the state, said that he does not intend to prosecute either the providers of IVF or the families of those opting for IVF. The National Republican Senate Committee, distancing itself from the Alabama ruling, sent out a memo to candidates in which it asked them to support IVF and "campaign on increasing access" to the treatment. Watch: US: Trump seeks to dismiss Mar-a-Lago classified documents case "There are zero Republican Senate candidates who support efforts to restrict access to fertility treatments," said the committee's executive director, Jason Thielman, in the memo as reported by BBC. The memo further cited the data of internal polling conducted by Kellyanne Conway, who once was Trump's White House adviser, to show that access to IVF is popular. Meanwhile, various Senate candidates, including Kari Lake in Arizona, also came out publicly in support of access to the treatment after the circulation of the memo. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump extends support to IVF treatment after Alabama ruling

Pope Francis reiterated Saturday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/groups-sue-over-alabama-abortion-law-judge-blocks-mississippi-ban-221564">abortion</a> is unacceptable, saying its use amounted to the hiring of a "paid killer."

"Is it lawful to eliminate a human lift to resolve a problem? It is lawful to hire a paid killer to resolve a problem," Francis asked during a conference at the Vatican on the use of abortion when the unborn child is found to have a serious illness.

"No human being can ever be incompatible with life," he said, adding,&nbsp;"Every child is a gift that changes the history of a family... and this child needs to be welcomed, loved and cared for."

In cases where the child may not live for very long, medical care is not wasted but by gaining time, allows parents to prepare for the death.

"That child will remain in their lives forever," he said.

Pope Francis used similar "paid killer" remarks in relation to abortion in October 2018, sparking a sharp reaction in medical circles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/abortion-ban-igniting-legal-political-battles-219101">Watch: Alabama abortion ban igniting legal, political battles</a>

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&nbsp;

Pope Francis reiterated Saturday that abortion is unacceptable, saying its use amounted to the hiring of a "paid killer." "Is it lawful to eliminate a human lift to resolve a problem?

Pope Francis reiterated Saturday that abortion is unacceptable, saying its use amounted to the hiring of a "paid killer." "Is it lawful to eliminate a human lift to resolve a problem? It is lawful to hire a paid killer to resolve a problem," Francis asked during a conference at the Vatican on the use of abortion when the unborn child is found to have a serious illness. "No human being can ever be incompatible with life," he said, adding, "Every child is a gift that changes the history of a family... and this child needs to be welcomed, loved and cared for." In cases where the child may not live for very long, medical care is not wasted but by gaining time, allows parents to prepare for the death. "That child will remain in their lives forever," he said. Pope Francis used similar "paid killer" remarks in relation to abortion in October 2018, sparking a sharp reaction in medical circles. Watch: Alabama abortion ban igniting legal, political battles ×

Pope Francis condemns abortion as use of 'paid killer'

Around 400 people took to the streets in the capital city of the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alabama-governor-signs-nations-strictest-abortion-ban-219055">nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades</a>.

Women's reproductive rights defenders gathered in Montgomery, as well as in Birmingham, Anniston and Huntsville where hundreds more were estimated to have joined in denouncing the "Alabama Human Life Protection Act," or HB314, which virtually outlaws terminations of pregnancy.

Protesters in Montgomery held up signs reading "her body, her choice" and "we are not ovary-acting." There we no counter-demonstrators.

A woman wearing beige underwear that made her look naked had a drawing of her reproductive system attached to her abdomen and a banner reading: "More than an incubator."

Several other women were dressed as characters forced to bear children in the dystopian novel and television series "The Handmaid's Tale."&nbsp;

One of them, who gave her name only as Amanda, accused Alabama's legislators of "trying to imprison women and doctors."

"Wearing the 'Handmaid's Tale' outfit is sending a message that you're trying to turn us into slaves, reproductive slaves," the 40-year-old-lawyer told AFP.

"They're trying to fill prisons, more private prisons so that women will do hard labour after they get convicted of these 'crimes' of abortion."

Last week, Alabama passed a law that prohibits all abortions -- even in cases of incest and rape -- unless there is a risk of death for the mother.

"Our call centre's been getting hundreds and hundreds of phone calls from concerned citizens asking us what this means," said Barbara Ann Luttrell, director of communications and marketing for Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Planned Parenthood is not currently providing abortion services in Alabama. "We'll be having abortion services up and running again as soon as possible," she said.

There are only three clinics that perform the procedure. None of them responded requests of comments.

The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage.&nbsp;

Republican offensive

"We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves," 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser.

She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her.

"We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death," she warned.

Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional.

Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Donald Trump.

Trump appeared to suggest Alabama lawmakers had gone too far in a series of tweets late Saturday in which he described himself as "strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother."&nbsp;

He urged the anti-abortion side to "stick together and Win for Life" when it comes to voting in 2020.&nbsp;

While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 texts since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists.

Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee.&nbsp;

A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July.

The country's largest human rights organization, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional.

HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother.

Around two-thirds of Americans say abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year.

Around 400 people took to the streets in the capital city of the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades.

Around 400 people took to the streets in the capital city of the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. Women's reproductive rights defenders gathered in Montgomery, as well as in Birmingham, Anniston and Huntsville where hundreds more were estimated to have joined in denouncing the "Alabama Human Life Protection Act," or HB314, which virtually outlaws terminations of pregnancy. Protesters in Montgomery held up signs reading "her body, her choice" and "we are not ovary-acting." There we no counter-demonstrators. A woman wearing beige underwear that made her look naked had a drawing of her reproductive system attached to her abdomen and a banner reading: "More than an incubator." Several other women were dressed as characters forced to bear children in the dystopian novel and television series "The Handmaid's Tale." One of them, who gave her name only as Amanda, accused Alabama's legislators of "trying to imprison women and doctors." "Wearing the 'Handmaid's Tale' outfit is sending a message that you're trying to turn us into slaves, reproductive slaves," the 40-year-old-lawyer told AFP. "They're trying to fill prisons, more private prisons so that women will do hard labour after they get convicted of these 'crimes' of abortion." Last week, Alabama passed a law that prohibits all abortions -- even in cases of incest and rape -- unless there is a risk of death for the mother. "Our call centre's been getting hundreds and hundreds of phone calls from concerned citizens asking us what this means," said Barbara Ann Luttrell, director of communications and marketing for Planned Parenthood Southeast. Planned Parenthood is not currently providing abortion services in Alabama. "We'll be having abortion services up and running again as soon as possible," she said. There are only three clinics that perform the procedure. None of them responded requests of comments. The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage. Republican offensive "We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves," 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser. She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her. "We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death," she warned. Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Donald Trump. Trump appeared to suggest Alabama lawmakers had gone too far in a series of tweets late Saturday in which he described himself as "strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother." He urged the anti-abortion side to "stick together and Win for Life" when it comes to voting in 2020. While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 texts since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists. Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee. A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July. The country's largest human rights organization, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional. HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother. Around two-thirds of Americans say abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year.

Hundreds protest strict Alabama abortion law

Thousands of demonstrators prepared to take to the streets around the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades.

Women's reproductive rights defenders will gather in the capital, Montgomery, and in Birmingham, Anniston and Huntsville, to denounce the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-pro-life-but-favors-exceptions-for-rape-incest-219867">Alabama Human Life Protection Act</a>," or HB314, which virtually outlaws terminations.

"People should have the right to make the decisions that are best for their bodies without state interference," organizers said on Facebook.

Alabama passed a law last week that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alabama-senate-bans-nearly-all-abortions-including-rape-cases-218840">prohibits all abortions , even in cases of incest and rape</a>, unless there is a risk of death for the mother.

"We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves," 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser.&nbsp;

She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her.

"We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death," she warned.

Sunday's rallies follow protests last week that saw women donning the iconic red tunics and white bonnets worn by the oppressed women of a dystopian future America in Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale."

The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage.&nbsp;

Republican offensive

Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling known as Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional.&nbsp;

Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Donald Trump.

Trump appeared to suggest Alabama lawmakers had gone too far in a series of tweets late Saturday in which he described himself as "strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother."&nbsp;

He urged the anti-abortion side to "stick together and Win for Life" when it comes to voting in 2020.&nbsp;

While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 measures since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists.

Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee.&nbsp;

A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July.

The country's largest human rights organization, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional.

HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother.

Around two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year.

US actress Eva Longoria spoke out against the Alabama and Missouri legislation as European stars including Penelope Cruz and Charlotte Gainsbourg staged a protest against the bans at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.

"What's happening in Alabama is so important in the world," the "Desperate Housewives" star said. "It's going to affect everybody if we don't pay attention."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added his own note of caution last week, saying he was gravely saddened by "backsliding" on women's rights seen in several US states.

Thousands of demonstrators prepared to take to the streets around the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades.

Thousands of demonstrators prepared to take to the streets around the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. Women's reproductive rights defenders will gather in the capital, Montgomery, and in Birmingham, Anniston and Huntsville, to denounce the "Alabama Human Life Protection Act," or HB314, which virtually outlaws terminations. "People should have the right to make the decisions that are best for their bodies without state interference," organizers said on Facebook. Alabama passed a law last week that prohibits all abortions , even in cases of incest and rape, unless there is a risk of death for the mother. "We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves," 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser. She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her. "We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death," she warned. Sunday's rallies follow protests last week that saw women donning the iconic red tunics and white bonnets worn by the oppressed women of a dystopian future America in Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale." The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage. Republican offensive Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling known as Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Donald Trump. Trump appeared to suggest Alabama lawmakers had gone too far in a series of tweets late Saturday in which he described himself as "strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother." He urged the anti-abortion side to "stick together and Win for Life" when it comes to voting in 2020. While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 measures since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists. Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee. A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July. The country's largest human rights organization, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional. HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother. Around two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year. US actress Eva Longoria spoke out against the Alabama and Missouri legislation as European stars including Penelope Cruz and Charlotte Gainsbourg staged a protest against the bans at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. "What's happening in Alabama is so important in the world," the "Desperate Housewives" star said. "It's going to affect everybody if we don't pay attention." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added his own note of caution last week, saying he was gravely saddened by "backsliding" on women's rights seen in several US states.

Thousands expected to protest Alabama abortion law

President Donald Trump has declared himself "strongly Pro-Life", days after two US states passed tough new restrictions on abortions but said exceptions should be made for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

The US president spelt out his position on abortion -&nbsp;set to feature prominently at next year's election -&nbsp;in his first comments on the hot-button issue since Alabama's governor signed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alabama-senate-bans-nearly-all-abortions-including-rape-cases-218840">near-total ban on the termination of pregnancy</a>.

"As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions -&nbsp;Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother -&nbsp;the same position taken by Ronald Reagan," Trump tweeted late Saturday.

Trump, who is seeking to expand on his conservative support ahead of his re-election bid, added, "The Radical Left, with late-term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue.

"We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020."

Alabama's governor on Wednesday<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alabama-governor-signs-nations-strictest-abortion-ban-219055"> signed a near-total prohibition on abortions</a> widely seen as the country's most restrictive ban, and the Missouri legislature on Friday made the procedure illegal from eight weeks of pregnancy.

Neither makes exceptions for rape or incest -&nbsp;only for cases where the mother's life is in danger.

Republican-led legislatures in Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and North Dakota have also enacted laws banning abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Supporters hope that legal battles over the laws will reach the Supreme Court, as they pursue the long-sought conservative goal of overturning its landmark 1973 abortion ruling, known as Roe v Wade.

Roe v Wade guarantees women's rights to abortion as long as the fetus is not viable -&nbsp;around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Trump, a bombastic, twice-divorced billionaire, won over the evangelical vote during his 2016 campaign by promising to appoint anti-abortion justices at the Supreme Court.

He has since brought two conservative appointees to the highest court in the land -&nbsp;Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh -&nbsp;shifting the balance of the nine-person bench.

In a series of tweets on the deeply polarising issue, Trump said the US had "come very far in the last two years" on abortion, and praised "two great new Supreme Court Justices".

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As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new.....
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....Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new &amp; positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1129954115205914625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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....for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1129954116489404416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Sunday, defenders of women's reproductive rights are set to march in protest against Alabama's new abortion law in four of the Southern state's cities, including the capital Montgomery.

"People should have the right to make the decisions that are best for their bodies without state interference," organisers said on Facebook.

President Donald Trump has declared himself "strongly Pro-Life", days after two US states passed tough new restrictions on abortions but said exceptions should be made for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

President Donald Trump has declared himself "strongly Pro-Life", days after two US states passed tough new restrictions on abortions but said exceptions should be made for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The US president spelt out his position on abortion - set to feature prominently at next year's election - in his first comments on the hot-button issue since Alabama's governor signed a near-total ban on the termination of pregnancy. "As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan," Trump tweeted late Saturday. Trump, who is seeking to expand on his conservative support ahead of his re-election bid, added, "The Radical Left, with late-term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. "We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020." Alabama's governor on Wednesday signed a near-total prohibition on abortions widely seen as the country's most restrictive ban, and the Missouri legislature on Friday made the procedure illegal from eight weeks of pregnancy. Neither makes exceptions for rape or incest - only for cases where the mother's life is in danger. Republican-led legislatures in Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and North Dakota have also enacted laws banning abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected. Supporters hope that legal battles over the laws will reach the Supreme Court, as they pursue the long-sought conservative goal of overturning its landmark 1973 abortion ruling, known as Roe v Wade. Roe v Wade guarantees women's rights to abortion as long as the fetus is not viable - around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Trump, a bombastic, twice-divorced billionaire, won over the evangelical vote during his 2016 campaign by promising to appoint anti-abortion justices at the Supreme Court. He has since brought two conservative appointees to the highest court in the land - Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh - shifting the balance of the nine-person bench. In a series of tweets on the deeply polarising issue, Trump said the US had "come very far in the last two years" on abortion, and praised "two great new Supreme Court Justices". As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × ....Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × ....for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × On Sunday, defenders of women's reproductive rights are set to march in protest against Alabama's new abortion law in four of the Southern state's cities, including the capital Montgomery. "People should have the right to make the decisions that are best for their bodies without state interference," organisers said on Facebook.

Trump spells out his position on abortion, says 'Pro-Life' but favours exceptions for rape, incest