What you may have missed during the debate over Indiana’s new abortion ban law

On Friday, Indiana became the first state to propose and sign an abortion ban into law after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Senate Bill 1 makes it a felony to perform abortions in Indiana with exceptions for rape, incest, lethal fetal anomaly or to prevent a life-threatening health risk of the mother. The Republican supermajorities in the Indiana House and Senate passed the bill Friday afternoon, and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed it into law hours later. This bill is the culmination of a two-week-long special session where hundreds of citizens gave testimony and legislators proposed several amendments. The floor debate in both the Indiana House and Senate was chaotic, with protestors chanting outside chamber as lawmakers argued over the content of the bill.

IN state Rep. Bartlett (D) introduces an amendment to the anti-abortion bill to outlaw erectile dysfunction drugs: “We’re forcing young girls to be mothers, but not forcing the men to be fathers … If an unwanted pregnancy is an act of God, then impotency must be an act of God.” pic.twitter.com/g8QbQGrUqv

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) August 4, 2022

During the debate, Rep. John Jacob (R) contended that a mother does not have a say in what happens with her child, specifically saying “not her body, not her choice.”

Indiana state Rep. John Jacob (R): “The body inside of the mom’s body is not her body. Let me repeat that: The body inside of the mom’s body is not her body. Not her body, not her choice.“ pic.twitter.com/p9OYCYyv9c

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) August 5, 2022

Some Republicans made attempts to limit abortion access even more than the original bill. While introducing an amendment to remove the rape and incest exceptions, state Rep. Karen Engleman (R) was asked if this would prevent a 5th grade rape victim from getting an abortion. State Rep. Rita Fleming (D) asked the question because in June, a 10-year-old girl from Ohio was forced to travel to Indiana to receive an abortion after being sexually assaulted.

IN state Rep. Engleman (R) introduces an amendment to eliminate rape and incest exceptions in the new anti-abortion bill. Rep. Fleming (D) asks if that would prevent a 5th grader (10-year-old) rape victim from getting abortion care. Engelman sighs: “It… It does.” pic.twitter.com/LutSbldJ5n

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) August 4, 2022

Abortion clinics will also lose their licenses, as the bill outlines hospitals and outpatient surgical centers as the only places to perform legal abortions. This will make it extremely hard to get a legal procedure since most abortions in Indiana were performed in clinics last year. The debate garnered national attention and a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris. Advocates on both sides were at the Indiana Capitol building to protest the ban, with some condemning the bill and others calling for more restrictions. Since 2010, Indiana has allowed abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. With the ban set to go into effect Sept. 15, Indiana women seeking abortion care will now most likely have to travel to Illinois, which has become a haven for abortion access in the Midwest.