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Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) says she will not support Democrat’s Women’s Health Protection Act, an abortion rights bill “which would prohibit states from enacting restrictions on abortion through fetal viability,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
It comes in response to a controversial Texas law banning abortion once cardiac activity is detected, which usually occurs around six weeks, before many women are aware they are pregnant.
That law took effect earlier this month, and the Supreme Court declined to block its enforcement.
The Democratic bill would prohibit states from enacting restrictions on abortion through fetal viability. The bill is expected to be approved on Friday in the House.
Collins says she supports Roe v. Wade but says this federal bill would roll back existing laws that makes sure health professionals who object to abortions can opt not to participate.
“I support codifying Roe. Unfortunately, the bill goes way beyond that. It would severely weaken the conscious exceptions that are in the current law,” Collins told the LA Times. She also said she found parts of the bill’s language “extreme.”
“This ‘carve out’ would be unprecedented, and I do not believe it is necessary to codify Roe,” said Collins.
According to the LA Times, Collins said the bill would weaken the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protects a person’s ability to exercise their religion.
