Assembly passes bill to ban abortions after 14 weeks of pregnancy

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill that would ban abortions after 14 weeks of pregnancy on Thursday.

The bill, A.B. 975, calls for a binding statewide referendum that would have voters decide on the issue.

53 Assembly representatives, all Republicans, voted in favor of the bill, passing it 53-46. Some conservatives felt that the 14-week designation wasn’t strong enough since most abortions happen before that time, according to statements made during the bill’s hearing Thursday afternoon.

The bill was amended to include exceptions for rape and incest beyond the 14-week threshold.

If the bill passes the state Senate and were to be signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers, the question would appear on the April 2 general election ballot for voters statewide. If voters approved the referendum, the new law would go into effect the day after the votes were certified by election officials.

Evers said during his State of the State address Tuesday that he did not support Republican efforts to legislate an abortion ban, saying that the previous governor who advocated for bans was not delivering the State of the State that night.

“Wisconsinites should have the freedom to make their own decisions about their reproductive healthcare,” Evers said on social media Thursday. “And Republican legislators should have nothing to do with it.”

It sure the hell is about “who makes the decisions.”

Wisconsinites should have the freedom to make their own decisions about their reproductive healthcare. And Republican legislators should have nothing to do with it. https://t.co/Mz2qyOjLnQ

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) January 25, 2024

Several pro-life organizations, such as Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin and Pro-Life Wisconsin, registered in opposition to the bill.

You can read or download the bill text below.