During a private ceremony, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that would ban most abortions in Florida after six weeks, a time before most women know they are pregnant.
The governor’s office sent out a news release shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday with a picture showing legislative leaders and about 50 other people cheering as he signed the bill in his office. Lawmakers had given final approval to the measure several hours before.
The governor’s office then sent out an updated schedule noting that the bill signing occurred at 10:45 p.m. Earlier, DeSantis was in Ohio on Thursday promoting his book and speaking at a Republican dinner function.
“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said in the news release. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”
The quiet signing was in contrast to the hundreds of people who attended a public ceremony when DeSantis signed the 15-week bill at the Nación de Fe church in Kissimmee on April 14, 2022.
Democrats say there’s a reason for that.
“I can’t say I am surprised,” said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, in a statement. “DeSantis is a coward who doesn’t want Floridians to know about his extreme anti-abortion platform, which is why he signed this bill as quickly as possible and with no press coverage.”
The governor, widely considered a potential candidate for president next year, could struggle to win support from independent voters and others for signing what opponents say is a near-total ban on abortion and one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation.
The six-week law won’t take effect unless the Florida Supreme Court rules in favor of the 15-week ban approved by the Legislature and DeSantis last year. A pending lawsuit before the high court contends the law violates the privacy provisions of the Florida Constitution.
Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, reminded Floridians that the 15-week law is still in effect.
“Florida’s new abortion ban turns back the clock on women’s rights and essential freedoms – bringing the government into exam rooms and criminalizing women and their doctors over private healthcare decisions,” Book said in a statement. “But let’s be clear: abortion until 15 weeks IS still legal in Florida, until the Supreme Court decides our fate.
“For now, keep your appointments for care and make new ones if you need them. If the law does go into effect, there will still be options for women – not in this state, but abortion funds will help women become medical refugees for needed health care,” she added. “Do not take matters into your own hands, there are people who will help.”
