Governor. Phil Bryant signed Senate Bill 2160 into law on Thursday. This bill makes it illegal to perform abortions once the embryo’s pulse can be detected. It is often done as soon as six weeks. Six hours ago, Gov. Mississippi’s most restrictive abortion law was in effect for six hours last year, when Bryant signed a ban on abortion lasting 15 weeks into law. A federal judge stopped the ban that night and later overturned it. The legislative momentum from the ban, which lasted for 15 weeks, and other restrictive bans in Ohio and Iowa, as well as a more conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court, encouraged lawmakers to make this law a reality, advocates and opponents told Mississippi Today. This year, 297 bills have been introduced by state legislators across the country to restrict abortion access. “I believe all sides–left, right, and center–believe there’s been a pivotal shift on the court, and many observers believe that this is the most conservative Supreme Court in the 1930s,” stated Sen. Joey Fillingane (R-Sumrall), who supported both the Senate floor bill last year and the one this year. With the passage of the 15-week ban, and the signing this year of the heartbeat bill by the governor, I think Mississippi is a good example. … We kinda got the first swing at it here, but we have confidence that many other states will (follow). Bryant however framed the Mississippi conservative legislators’ push to pass the legislation as a matter of morality. Bryant said to reporters that he believes we have become more determined every year to protect unborn lives. Bryant signed the bill on Thursday. We should all protest any time an innocent human life is lost in this country. But we seem to just shrug our shoulders and assume that it will continue unaffected. We, the pro-life community, will challenge it every day, every opportunity we get.” Mississippi Today reported Thursday that the Center for Reproductive rights sued Mississippi for last year’s 15-week ban and a number of other restrictions on abortions it has passed over time. It also said that Mississippi Today plans to file another federal suit over the constitutionality this year’s 6-week ban. Hillary Schneller, Center for Reproductive Rights staff attorney, stated that this ban was one of the most restrictive abortion bans ever signed into law. She also said that the Center for Reproductive Rights will sue Mississippi in federal court to stop it from taking effect. The state’s ban of 15 weeks was struck down by a judge months ago. But lawmakers did not get the message. They want to strip Mississippians of their right to abortion and are doing so at the cost of women’s health as well as taxpayer money. This ban, just like the one the governor signed a few years ago, is cruel and clearly unconstitutional.” U.S. district court Judge Carlton Reeves stopped last year’s 15 week abortion ban in November. He declared it unconstitutional and called it “one the most restrictive abortion laws in America.” Mississippi’s six-week ban will likely face a similar fate at the district court level. Only three states have passed bills banning abortion earlier than six weeks. North Dakota’s 6-week ban was blocked by a federal appeals court 2015. The Iowa Supreme Court also revoked the state’s 6-week ban 2015. A U.S. District Court judge temporarily blocked Kentucky’s six-week ban earlier this month. He stated that allowing the law to stand while awaiting his ruling could cause irreparable harm. Opponents frequently highlight the cost of defending a bill that has been deemed unconstitutional. According to a Mississippi Today analysis, these lawsuits could cost as high as $1 million. Bryant stated that he is not deterred by the high price. Bryant spoke out to refer to law supporters. Bryant stated, “Those of us who believe life is worth it often wonder what price you can place on the life and health of an unborn child.” Bryant stated that he will appeal the bill to the Fifth U.S. if a federal judge rejects it. Circuit Court of Appeals. The law of Mississippi is likely to be in good company at the appeals court level. This year, 12 other states legislatures will vote on six-week bans. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to us today as part of the Spring Member Drive.