Indiana Senate to vote on near-total abortion ban

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana state senators are set to meet in a rare Saturday session to vote on a near-total abortion ban, with passage sending the bill to the House after a contentious week of arguments over whether to allow exceptions for rape and incest.

Indiana is one of the first Republican-controlled states to debate tighter abortion laws since the U.S. Supreme Court last month overturned the precedent establishing a national right to an abortion. But the GOP splintered after the rape and incest exceptions remained in the bill, and it wasn't clear whether enough anti-abortion lawmakers would support it for passage.

The proposal 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.

Republican Sen. Sue Glick of LaGrange, who authored the abortion bill, declined to speculate on the bill's chances for passage.

Abortion rights supporters said the bill went too far. Dr. Roberto Darroca, one of several physicians who testified against it, advocated for an exception to preserve the health of the mother.

“Decisions must be made rapidly. Having to wait for legal counsel would freeze this decision-making process," Darroca said. "Can you imagine the dilemma the physician faces? The physician’s liberty versus the life of the patient and the child?"

Abortion opponents said it didn't go far enough.

Mark Hosbein was among a large crowd at the Statehouse on Tuesday. For the second straight day in the special legislative session , cheers and shouts from protesters could be heard during committee hearings in Senate chambers. Hosbein, of Indianapolis, said he supports an...