Georgia became the next state to protect unborn children today when Governor Brian Kemp signed the “Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act” that will prohibit abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable in the womb, which is as early as five to six weeks of pregnancy. The law will become effective Jan. 1, 2020.
The LIFE Act, which includes an exception for rape, incest, and situations when the mother’s health is at risk, will replace current Georgia law which allows abortions up to 20 weeks.
At least 15 states have introduced similar “heartbeat” bills this year and Georgia now joins Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio, which also recently passed six-week abortion bans and Republican lawmakers in several other states, including Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida, are considering similar bills.
Governor Brian Kemp specifically called the law “common sense,” despite recent boycott threats from Hollywood actors. “We stand up for the innocent and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Kemp tweeted March 29. “The legislature’s bold action reaffirms our priorities and who we are as a state.”
“We are not like New York or Virginia,” said Senate Science and Technology Chairwoman Renee Unterman, who sponsored the bill in the Georgia Senate. “We will not throw away children who aren’t perfect because all children are perfect in the eyes of God.”
Four months ago, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, signed the law which allows the murder of unborn babies up to the point of birth for any reason and revokes medical care for babies who are born alive after a failed abortion. In response, last Saturday, Focus on the Family ministry sponsored the largest pro-life event ever held in New York City. The “Alive from New York” event put the sanctity of human life front and center in the world’s busiest intersection at Times Square. More than 10,000 people attended to show support of protecting the unborn. There was live music and testimonies from many, including three abortion survivors. However, the main event was a live 4D ultrasound performed on Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director whose story is the inspiration behind the movie “Unplanned.”
“This is a baby! This right here is a baby. This right here is a baby! It’s not a cat. It’s not a parasite. This is a human being with a heartbeat, with its own DNA that is separate from my body. And this baby deserves to live,” Abby Johnson told the crowd.
“I am grateful to Governor Kemp and the lawmakers for passing the ‘Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act’ to protect children,” said Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver. “The beating heart of a priceless unborn child should awaken the conscience of our nation to the violence of abortion,” said Staver.
