Michigan Abortion Ban Repealed

MICHIGAN — State lawmakers repealed Michigan's 1931 abortion ban in a vote Wednesday, which also happened to be International Women’s Day.

The 20-18 vote along party lines in the Michigan Senate comes after the state House approved the legislation last week. The bill now goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be signed into law.

The legislation repeals the state's 1931 abortion ban law, which made it illegal for doctors to perform abortions except to save the life of the mother.

The state's 1931 law banning abortion was triggered into law after the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the landmark decision Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion.

Numerous Michigan judges blocked immediate enforcement of the law until Michiganders overwhelmingly passed proposal 3 in November's elections, rendering the 1931 abortion ban unconstitutional.

"My abortion was necessary to save my life," state Sen. Rosemary Bayer said on Twitter. "I’m glad I’m here today because of that, and to be able to vote on this bill and ensure this life-saving healthcare is protected and kept safe and legal here in Michigan."

Meanwhile, Republicans in the state senate blasted the vote, with some even calling it "dangerous."

"While Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to strengthen safeguards for women, Senate Democrats are rushing dangerous bills to repeal long-standing protections for women and the unborn," GOP state Sen. Joseph Bellino said in a statement.

Democrats, who control both chambers of the state's congress for the first time in nearly 40 years, also voted to add protections for LGBTQ+ residents, and advanced legislation aiming to repeal the state's right-to-work law and approved legislation that requires a license or background check for anyone buying a gun.