For Immediate Release: March 21, 2019
Contact: Ryan Hite, Communications Director
Washington, D.C.: Mississippi joined a growing number of states today when Gov. Phil Bryant signed the Heartbeat Bill into law. The measure will take effect on July 1, 2019.
“This is another great victory for the fundamental right to life,” said Ed Martin, president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles. “Eagles are working all across the country to see the Heartbeat Bill passed in over 20 states this year. We are continually inspired by Janet Porter, who has courageously spearheaded this Heartbeat movement. We will continue to work to see Congressman Steve King’s federal Heartbeat Bill pass in Congress. It has now been blocked by both Republican and Democratic leadership in the U.S. House.
“We are thankful and proud of the boldness of Mississippi’s legislators and of Governor Phil Bryant for standing up for the rights of the unborn.”
The Center for Reproductive Rights tweeted a statement on Wednesday threatening to sue Governor Bryant if he signed Heartbeat into law. He responded publicly through his Twitter account saying, “We will all answer to the good Lord one day. I will say in this instance, “I fought for the lives of innocent babies, even under the threat of legal action.” At the Thursday signing, Gov. Bryant said “We anticipate [legal challenges]. We hope that it will get to the Supreme Court and they will uphold it.”
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