Florida Senate Passes 6-week Abortion Ban: ‘Life Is Sacred and Must Be Protected’

Florida State Sen. Ileana Garcia asks people in the Senate gallery to "be quiet" during debate over Florida’s six-week abortion ban, in Tallahassee, Fla., on April 3, 2023. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP

The Florida Senate on April 3 passed a bill prohibiting abortions after six weeks, a measure backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that prompted demonstrations at the state’s capital, which resulted in the arrest of a state senator and the Florida Democrat Party leader.

The state Senate voted 26-13 in favor of the bill, while the House version of the bill—which is nearly identical—advanced out of committee last week and is expected to be voted on soon.