Backers of the so called “heartbeat bill” have tried some unorthodox things to pass their bill. One Republican representative who supported the bill had tried to attach it to a bipartisan infant mortality bill -- but that effort wasn’t successful.
In the end, the heartbeat bill itself, in stand alone form, was allowed to go up for a vote in the Ohio House. After a relatively short debate, the bill failed 47 to 41, with 11 Republicans voting against it.
Two years ago, the heartbeat bill passed the Ohio House but failed to move in the Senate. Now that it’s failed in the house, it is the end of the line for the bill in this General Assembly.
It’s unusual that a bill is brought to the floor for a vote if leaders are not sure there are votes to pass it. But this bill was unusual and highly controversial. Even Ohio Right to Life did not support it, saying it’s unconstitutional.
