Chambana Sun

Illinois Republican House member Brad Halbrook (Shelbyville) wants to see “fetal heartbeat” legislation as the law of the land across the U.S.

“I favor this kind of policy for the whole country,” Halbrook told the Chambana Sun of the legislation recently signed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, effectively banning abortion in instances where a fetal heartbeat can be detected. “Measures like late-term abortions and repeal of parental notification are totally extreme and harsh, and we need to be doing all we can to protect the unborn.”                        

Known as the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act, Kemp’s bill recently passed the full House and would apply in all instances with the exception of times when giving birth would place the mother’s life in danger or cases of rape or incest before the 20-week mark where a formal police report has been filed. Presently, women in Georgia are allowed to undergo abortion procedures up until the 20th week of pregnancy. The new law would officially take effect on Jan. 1.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp | Wikipedia

“We’ve got similar legislation that’s been proposed here in Illinois that I would definitely support and even go to the level of co-sponsoring,” Halbrook said. “This is the kind of work we need to be getting done in Springfield.”

Freshmen state Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) recently filed a bill in Illinois that would restrict abortion to the point you can detect a heartbeat. Despite the measure being filed early in the legislative session, it still remains stuck in House committee.

In Georgia, critics of the bill include the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, which are both already lining up to fight the legislation.