North Dakota Governor Signs Law Banning Most Abortions (+video)

What is being called the nation’s toughest anti-abortion measure — a law that bans most abortions after six weeks, when a fetal heartbeat can be first detected — was signed into law on Tuesday by North Dakota’s governor.

The law sets the stage for an almost guaranteed legal showdown, with proponents saying the law is intended to test the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal.

“Although the likelihood of this measure surviving a court challenge remains in question, this bill is nevertheless a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade,” Gov. Jack Dalrymple said in a statement.

The governor directed the legislature to set aside funds to cover the cost of the expected legal battle, which opponents vowed to mount if the governor signed the measure into law.

“North Dakota’s governor today effectively banned abortion in the state, with an outrageous and unconstitutional law that will not stand,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

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