Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law Senate Bill 8, commonly known as the "heartbeat bill," that bans abortions after as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
The legislation, which was mostly Republican-supported and signed May 19, also allows for private citizens to file lawsuits against abortion providers that "aid and abet" in violation of the new law, The Texas Tribune reported.
"In Texas, we will always lead the way to protect the unborn," Abbott said in a tweet.
Opposition by many Democrats and doctors, who circulated letters, said the measure's broad language could open up harassment and lawsuits against abortion providers, rape crisis counselors, nurses and staff, The Texas Tribune reported.
“Not only does this ban violate more than half a century of Supreme Court caselaw, it paves the way for anti-choice extremists to use our court system to go after anyone who performs abortions or considers supporting a person that has one," Drucilla Tigner, a policy and advocacy strategist for American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said in a statement, USA Today reported. "But make no mistake, abortion is both legal in Texas and supported by the majority of Texans. The governor’s swipe of a pen can’t change the Constitution.”
Abbott said the bill will only help save the lives of millions of children.
"Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion," Abbott said during a live video of the ceremony shared to Facebook, USA Today reported. "In Texas, we work to save those lives and that's exactly what the Texas Legislature did this session."
The bill does make exceptions to the new abortion law in terms of medical emergencies, but not in cases of rape or incest.
Abbott did support the measure during the 87th legislative session and pledged to sign the bill if it passed through the Senate, which he has since honored.
Senate Bill 8 was sponsored by 90 Republicans and one Democrat.