Arkansas Governor Vetoes 20-week Abortion Ban, But Legislature Likely to Override

Feminist Majority:  AR Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Ban Abortion at 20 Weeks:

On Tuesday Governor Mike Beebe (D) vetoed a bill that would have banned abortions in Arkansas after 20 weeks. The bill passed in the state Senate on a vote of 25 to 7 and passed the state House on a vote of 80 to 10 before reaching Governor Beebe's desk.

"Because it would impose a ban on a woman's right to choose an elective, nontherapeutic abortion before viability, House Bill 1037, if it became law, would squarely contradict Supreme Court precedent," Beebe wrote in the veto letter. "When I was sworn in as governor I took an oath to preserve, protect and defend both the Arkansas Constitution and the Constitution of the United States. I take that oath seriously." Originally, Governor Beebe had agreed to sign the ban into law if it was passed by the state Congress. . . .