Louisiana has spent over a million dollars to defend its commitment to life, and the state will continue spending large sums in the future to prevent repeal of its abortion bans.
The state has utilized various private firms to extend court cases that might otherwise disrupt the implementation of abortion bans, according to open records obtained by The Associated Press.
The spending reports come after Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill on May 30 banning abortions past 15 weeks gestation and punishing those who transgress the law. Persons who attempt to or successfully abort an unborn baby past the 15-week mark face prison time and up to $100,000 in fines. The law does not include exceptions for rape or incest. (RELATED: Mississippi Becomes First State To Ban Abortions After 15 Weeks)
An Edwards representative told the AP that the governor thinks spending to defend life is extremely important and well worth the cost. He noted that Louisiana has used and plans to continue using in-house lawyers as well as outside counsel to protect abortion bans.
“We will exhaust every legal option we have to ensure these laws are upheld,” Attorney General Jeff Landry also said, noting that private firms have been an extremely helpful resource and will continue to advance pro-life efforts in the state, the AP reported. “In Louisiana, it is clear, we will not put a price tag on an innocent, unborn child,” he added.
Louisiana is the second state to pass a 15-week abortion ban after Mississippi. Mississippi banned abortions after 15 weeks in pregnancy on May 19 after its Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the measure into law. Mississippi’s House Bill 1510 bans women from having abortions after 15 weeks gestation unless the unborn baby is expected to not survive outside the womb or if continuing the pregnancy will jeopardize the woman’s life.
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