Whitmer strikes 1931 abortion ban from Michigan law
Nidhi
Michigan's 1931 law criminalizing abortion is no longer enforceable after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a repeal.
Whitmer called the law "archaic" and said it was "initiated by special interest groups to ban abortion in Michigan."
The law was unenforceable because of Roe v. Wade, but supporters said it would be important if the landmark case is overturned.
Abortion rights groups praised the repeal, saying it was important to remove the law from the books.
Anti-abortion groups criticized the repeal, saying it would "allow for the killing of unborn children up to birth."
The law had been on the books for over 90 years, and lawmakers had attempted to repeal it in the past without success.
Michigan joins several other states, including New York and Illinois, in repealing laws criminalizing abortion that were on the books before Roe v. Wade.
The Michigan House of Representatives passed the bill to repeal the law with a 77-33 vote, and the Senate approved it 34-2.
The repeal does not impact the state's existing abortion laws, which allow for abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Whitmer said the repeal was "about affirming the fundamental truth that reproductive rights are human rights."