Legislation that restricts abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy will soon be implemented in North Carolina. The state's General Assembly, controlled by Republicans, successfully overrode the veto of the Democratic governor.

This outcome is considered a significant accomplishment for Republican leaders who required unanimous support from their party members to enact the law.

Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the measure and attempted to persuade at least one Republican to join him in upholding the veto. However, all targeted Republicans, including one who recently switched parties, voted in favor of overriding the veto.

According to Republicans, the new law in North Carolina is viewed as a moderate adjustment, as the current state legislation already prohibits almost all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, without exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

These recent developments take place amid ongoing changes regarding abortion rights in the United States. Lawmakers in South Carolina and Nebraska are also contemplating new restrictions on abortion. North Carolina and South Carolina have been among the few Southern states with relatively accessible abortion services.

It is important to note that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which established a nationwide right to abortion, has influenced the consideration of such restrictions.

Under the proposed bill being voted on in the South Carolina House, access to abortion would be significantly restricted after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, which is often before many women are aware that they are pregnant. The South Carolina state Senate had previously rejected a proposal that would have nearly outlawed abortions.

On a national scale, there are currently 14 states that have implemented bans on abortion throughout the entirety of pregnancy.

Abortion is either banned or subject to severe restrictions in a significant portion of the South, including states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, where bans on abortion are in place throughout pregnancy. In Georgia, abortions are only permitted within the first six weeks.

As a result, individuals seeking legal abortions often travel to nearby states like the Carolinas, Florida, and Virginia.

Florida currently enforces a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, but there is a recent law that could potentially tighten the restriction to six weeks, pending a court ruling. Tami Fitzgerald, the executive director of the socially conservative North Carolina Values Coalition, viewed it as a significant step towards establishing a pro-life state.

The upcoming abortion restrictions, effective from July 1, will include exceptions for rape or incest up to 20 weeks and exceptions for "life-limiting" fetal anomalies within the first 24 weeks. The existing exception for cases where the pregnant woman's life is at risk will remain intact.

Following the vote, Governor Cooper released a statement affirming his commitment to protecting abortion access in North Carolina. He expressed that he will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard this access, as he believes women's lives depend on it.

Representative Julie von Haefen, a Democrat from Wake County, voiced her disagreement with the abortion restrictions, asserting that women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and healthcare without seeking oversight or approval from others. Governor Cooper, in response to the vote, expressed his dedication to protecting abortion access, citing the importance of safeguarding women's lives.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed concern that the law in North Carolina would further impede women's access to necessary reproductive healthcare.

The successful override of the veto in North Carolina was largely facilitated by Rep. Tricia Cotham's decision to switch parties, granting Republicans veto-proof majorities in both chambers.

Cotham, who has previously supported abortion rights, stated that the bill strikes a reasonable balance and can be supported by those without extremist positions on abortion.

The abortion debate continues in various states. In South Carolina, the stalemate persists after a previous abortion law was struck down. Efforts are being made to pass a bill banning abortions when cardiac activity is detected. Nebraska lawmakers have incorporated a 12-week abortion ban into a bill that also restricts gender-affirming healthcare for minors.

Montana's governor signed a law making a commonly used abortion method after 15 weeks a felony, while Planned Parenthood is seeking a temporary block.