By Teaganne Finn - NBC News
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday defended the new anti-abortion law, one of the most restrictive in the United States.
The Republican politician assured that the norm does not oblige rape victims to give birth and promised to "eliminate all rapists."
Abbott answered questions from reporters Tuesday morning after an event in which he signed an electoral reform law that adds more voting restrictions.
When asked if the anti-abortion law would force rape victims to give birth, she said: “It certainly doesn't mean that.
It gives a person at least six weeks to have an abortion. "
With cries in favor and prayers against, they react in Mexico to the decriminalization of abortion
Sept.
7, 202101: 54
The law, known as SB8,
came into force last Wednesday
after the Supreme Court refused to block it and
sanctions abortion as soon as the fetal heartbeat is detected
, which can be at six weeks of pregnancy, before many women realize they are pregnant.
Since pregnancy begins counting from the first day of the last menstrual cycle, approximately two weeks before conception,
rape victims have four weeks to abort under the new law.
Anti-abortion protester, Juan Gaona, of San Antonio, at the Texas Capitol.
Eric Gay |
APAP / AP
"Rape is a crime and Texas will work tirelessly to remove all rapists from its streets,"
said Abbott, adding that in the state "there are services available to help rape victims and make sure that anyone receives the support that needs to".
Since the ruling, the Joe Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats have said they will work to enshrine abortion rights in federal law as more GOP-led states push other equally restrictive initiatives.
[The cases of Manuela and Sara in El Salvador are an example of how the total ban on abortion threatens the lives of the poorest]
Biden, who insisted the law violates the Constitution, vowed to "protect and defend" abortion rights and promised a government-wide response.
