DNC Women’s Media Director Elizabeth Renda released the following statement in response to newly inaugurated Republican Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement that he will sign into law the unconstitutional 6-week abortion ban bill that former Governor Kasich vetoed:

“Thanks to Ohio’s new right-wing Governor Mike DeWine, the state is poised to enact what would be the strictest abortion ban in the country. The so-called ‘heartbeat bill,’ which would ban abortions as early as six weeks, is a blatant attack on a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body with her doctor. Simply put, this unconstitutional bill is a disgrace and a danger to women across Ohio. Under this shameful legislation, a 12-year-old child raped by a family member would be forced to carry her child to term, as the bill doesn’t even make exemptions for cases of rape, incest, or age. While Republicans like DeWine continue to play partisan games with women’s access to health care, Democrats will keep fighting against their ceaseless attacks and leading for women nationwide.”