Fetal heartbeat abortion bill advances in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee lawmaker says his bill to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat has been detected does not include exceptions for situations involving incest or rape because he does not believe it’s appropriate.

Republican Rep. Micah Van Huss told a House subcommittee on Wednesday he considers killing any child, including a fetus, as “evil.” The panel — made up of all men — agreed to advance the bill to be heard by the full House Health Committee.

Tennessee is among several states considering heartbeat bills amid hopes from some abortion opponents nationwide that a conservative U.S. Supreme Court majority will review the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling and uphold stricter abortion prohibitions.

Anti-abortion groups believe their cause has been strengthened by President Donald Trump’s conservative appointments to the Supreme Court.