On Monday, July 13, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee sign his controversial heartbeat bill into law. A federal judge has blocked the abortion law just minutes after Bill Lee signed the bill into law.
The Republican Tennessee Governor called the signing a 'historic moment' on Facebook Live and continued to say the legislation is 'arguably the most conservative, pro-life legislation in the country.'
Less than one single hour, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the law from being implemented. Multiple groups filed a lawsuit against the bill after the Tennessee lawmakers passed the 'heartbeat bill' back in June.
If you're unfamiliar with the specifics of the aforementioned bill, the law bans abortions at the detection of a heartbeat -- which is around 6 weeks into pregnancy. It also requires an ultrasound be conducted prior to having an abortion and also would prohibit physicians from performing an abortion if they are aware the action is 'motivated by sex, race, or a disability diagnosis of the unborn child.'
According to Fox 17; ACLU TN said in an email:
These “reason bans” inflict harm by peddling stigma around abortions and stereotypes of Black and Brown communities, Asian Americans, and people with disabilities. Abortion patients — like all patients — should have the right to make private medical decisions with their families and their doctors, without interference from politicians. Banning abortion is blatantly unconstitutional, and the lawmakers who passed this law are well aware,” said Jessica Sklarsky, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “It is unconscionable that — in the middle of a public health crisis and a national reckoning on systemic racism — lawmakers are focused on trying to eliminate access to abortion. Abortion is an essential health service, and this law clearly violates the constitutional rights of patients and disproportionately harms communities of color. Tennessee should stop attacking reproductive healthcare and instead work to implement policies that will help marginalized communities. This law does the exact opposite.