At a Wednesday press conference discussing the 2023-24 state budget, Florida pro-life Governor Ron DeSantis stated unambiguously that he would sign an abortion bill that protects unborn children at six weeks, when their hearts begin to beat.
In response to a reporter’s question, DeSantis said, “We’re for pro-life. I urge the legislature to work, produce good stuff, and we will sign.”
In December of last year, at a press conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Governor DeSantis was asked if he would “take the lead” on the “heartbeat bill,” which would protect unborn children from abortion once an unborn child’s heartbeat can be detected, approximately in the sixth week.
DeSantis responded, “I’m willing to sign great life legislation,” and reiterated his previous stance. Furthermore, he stated, “That is what I have always wanted to do.”
On Tuesday, he was asked about Caleb Freestone, 27, and Amber Smith-Stewart, 23, who are accused of vandalizing a pregnancy resource center in Winter Haven, Florida. DeSantis expressed his surprise that the case had proceeded, given that the Department of Justice had not been willing to hold perpetrators of such actions accountable.
“Conversely, one might encounter a pro-life advocate bearing a picket sign, who would be treated as though he were a hardened criminal,” DeSantis added, noting a perceived imbalance in the treatment of pro-life and pro-abortion activists by federal law enforcement.
On April 14, 2022, Governor DeSantis signed the “Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act” (House Bill 5) into law. DeSantis stated that the act “is a statement of our values that every life is important.” He further noted that being able to sign the bill prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks was “really meaningful.”
DeSantis articulated the necessity of defending those who are unable to defend themselves, citing the presence of lawmakers, pro-life advocates, and children on a stage in Kissimmee. “This will represent the most significant protections for life that we have seen in a generation.”
House Bill 5 “protects fetuses with functioning hearts, capable of movement, sensation, and perception of pain,” according to Governor DeSantis. “Life is a sacred gift that deserves our protection, and I am honored to sign this significant piece of legislation that represents the most significant protections for life in the state’s modern history.”
It is to be expected that Planned Parenthood and the ACLU would take HB5 to court.
DeSantis’s press secretary, Bryan Griffin, stated, “As Governor DeSantis said, we are better when everybody counts.” The Florida Supreme Court denied both of Planned Parenthood’s emergency motions requesting that the Court block Florida’s law from taking effect. Additionally, the Court accepted jurisdiction of the case and established a briefing schedule. “From this point forward, we will continue to defend our pro-life protections.”
According to reporter Chris Pandolfo, the Declaration of Independence enumerates three unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Griffin added that they stand for all of them. He emphasized the right to life, which Vice President Kamala Harris omitted in a speech delivered Sunday in Tallahassee defending abortion rights on the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s overturned Roe v. Wade decision.
In contrast, Eric Daugherty has observed that in 2022, the year in which Florida’s 15-week abortion ban was passed and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, abortions declined by 14.5%, with 68,217 reported cases, representing a decrease of over 10,000.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
