GOP state lawmakers approve 'heartbeat' abortion bans - Statesboro Herald

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GOP state lawmakers approve 'heartbeat' abortion bans

Measure, if approved in Senate and signed into law, would trigger immediate legal challenges

Several woman legislators, including Rep. Park Cannon, left, D - Atlanta, and Rep. Pam Stephenson, D - Decatur, brought coat hangers into the House to show opposition to HB 481, which would toughen restrictions on abortions. The legislature was in session for Crossover" Day, a legislative deadline by which bills must generally pass out of one chamber or the other to remain alive for the session. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Several woman legislators, including Rep. Park Cannon, left, D - Atlanta, and Rep. Pam Stephenson, D - Decatur, brought coat hangers into the House to show opposition to HB 481, which would toughen restrictions on abortions. The legislature was in session for Crossover" Day, a legislative deadline by which bills must generally pass out of one chamber or the other to remain alive for the session. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

ATLANT — Georgia and Tennessee joined a string of states moving to enact tough abortion restrictions when Republican House lawmakers passed bans on most abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

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