South Dakota governor does the deed

Gov. Mike Rounds today signed a bill that will ban nearly all abortions in the state.

Published March 6, 2006 6:25PM (EST)

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds today signed the state's sweeping abortion ban, which would make it illegal to perform an abortion unless the mother's life is in danger, with no exceptions for cases of rape and incest.

In an immediate statement from Planned Parenthood, president Cecile Richards said, "Ever since the South Dakota legislators cast their votes last week, people across the country have been calling Planned Parenthood in shock, fear, and outrage ... And South Dakota may not be the only state to ban abortion  10 other states currently have abortion ban bills pending." In addition, eight other states are considering legislation that would limit access to abortion.

The South Dakota ban will not go into effect unless it is upheld by the Supreme Court.


By Rebecca Traister

Rebecca Traister writes for Salon. She is the author of "Big Girls Don't Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women" (Free Press). Follow @rtraister on Twitter.

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