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Idaho Senate passes so-called 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban

The bill passed Tuesday 28-7 on a party-line vote.
An ultrasound of a fetus

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate passed a bill that would outlaw nearly all abortions in the state by banning them once fetal cardiac activity can be detected. 

The so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill passed Tuesday 28-7 on a party-line vote.

Bill sponsor Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, a Republican from Huston, said a fetal heartbeat is a sign that life exists and that she believes the state has a compelling interest in protecting that life. 

Cardiac activity can be detected as early as six weeks, before many women discover they are pregnant. 

The bill now goes to the House.

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