House to take up override on abortion bill veto

March 6, 2013 at 7:07 a.m.

by The Associated Press

Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, right, greets Sen. Bobby J. Pierce, D-Sheridan, on the floor of the senate chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Pierce voted against an override of Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of Rapert's legislation that would ban most abortions from the 12th week of pregnancy onward. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, right, greets Sen. Bobby J. Pierce, D-Sheridan, on the floor of the senate chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Pierce voted against an override of Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of Rapert's legislation that would ban most abortions from the 12th week of pregnancy onward. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

The Arkansas House is attempting to override Gov. Mike Beebe’s veto of legislation banning most abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy. If lawmakers are successful, Arkansas will have the strictest abortion prohibitions in the country.

The Republican-led House on Wednesday was expected to vote on overriding Beebe’s veto of the 12 week ban. The majority-GOP Senate a day earlier voted to do the same.

A simple majority is required in each chamber to override the governor’s veto.

The Democratic governor vetoed the 12-week ban Monday, citing constitutional concerns and worries about the cost of a likely legal challenge. Lawmakers last week overrode Beebe’s veto of a 20-week abortion ban.

If lawmakers are successful, the 12-week ban will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.


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