Indiana Senate narrowly passes near-total abortion ban

By ARLEIGH RODGERS and RICK CALLAHAN Associated Press/Report for America

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana state senators have narrowly passed a near-total abortion ban during a rare weekend session, sending the bill to the House after a contentious week of arguments over whether to allow exceptions for rape and incest.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 26-20 after about three hours of debate Saturday.

It passed with the minimum 26 votes needed to send it to the House.

The bill would prohibit abortions from the time a fertilized egg implants in a uterus.

Exceptions would be allowed in cases of rape and incest, but a woman or girl seeking an abortion due for either reason would have to sign a notarized affidavit attesting to the attack.