Arkansas Senate approves measure banning abortion if Roe overturned

LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas senators on Thursday approved a proposal to ban abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 decision legalizing the procedure nationwide.

The Senate voted 29-6 for the bill to ban all abortions , except for medical emergencies, if the Roe v. Wade decision is overturned or the U.S. Constitution is amended to prohibit the procedure. The measure , which now heads to the House, is backed by abortion opponents who say they're optimistic the Supreme Court is likely to back more sweeping bans following President Donald Trump's appointments to the high court.

Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota have similar laws on the books triggering abortion bans if the decision is struck down. An amendment to Arkansas' constitution voters approved in 1988 says the state's policy is to "protect the life of every unborn child from concept until birth."

"The state of Arkansas is clearly a pro-life state and our citizens have spoken clearly time and time again that we should protect the lives of unborn babies," Republican Sen. Jason Rapert, the measure's sponsor, said before the vote.

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