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'Heartbeat' Abortion Bill Gets Support From Democratic Governor of Louisiana

Senate Bill 184, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. John Milkovich, prohibits abortion as soon as a heartbeat is detected -- similar to so-called fetal heartbeat bills in Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and, most recently, Missouri.

By Veronica Stracqualursi

Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards signaled this week his support for an anti-abortion bill that his state legislature is close to fully passing.

"My position hasn't changed. In eight years in the Legislature, I was a pro-life legislator," Edwards told reporters Thursday during a press conference in Louisiana. "When I ran for governor, I said that I was pro-life. And so that's something that's consistent."

Senate Bill 184, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. John Milkovich, prohibits abortion as soon as a heartbeat is detected -- similar to so-called fetal heartbeat bills in Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and, most recently, Missouri. That can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, when many women don't yet know for certain that they're pregnant. A spokeswoman with Edwards' office told CNN on Saturday the governor is "inclined" to sign the bill should it reach his desk -- a position that is generally at odds with the Democratic Party.

"He's said he's inclined to sign it," said Christina Stephens, deputy chief of staff for communications and special projects. "Certainly he wants to see the final bill first. This is very much in line with his previous pro-life votes and actions."

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