Lord, we pray for the current Heartbeat Bill to remain intact and pass. We pray for the leaders who are working on passing this bill.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Ps 9:1)

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“Ohio lawmakers pushed back a Thursday vote on the “heartbeat bill,” raising doubt the GOP-controlled legislature will have enough time to pass the controversial legislation and override an expected veto by Republican Gov. John Kasich.

The bill, House Bill 258, would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. Similar abortion bans have been found unconstitutional in other states. Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville, said senators want to amend the bill but those changes haven’t been discussed yet.

“We believe it is in the public’s best interest to allow those to mature,” Burke said.

Supporters of the bill were eyeing a Thursday floor vote in the Senate to allow enough time for Kasich to consider the bill – he has 10 days except Sundays – and for a veto override vote on Dec. 19. But Thursday’s delay puts that plan in limbo.

If the Senate passes the bill next week, Kasich could wait until the days leading up to Christmas to veto the bill. Legislators would have to come back to Columbus after the holiday and before the end of the year to vote.

And it’s not known whether either chamber has the minimum number of votes – 60 in the House and 20 in the Senate – to make the bill law. Exactly 60 lawmakers in the House voted for the bill, so all would need to show up to vote and vote the same way.

Meanwhile, a bill that would ban most abortions after 12 weeks could quickly move to Kasich’s desk next week. Burke said the heartbeat bill is expected to clear a committee vote next week, but he wouldn’t discuss the bill’s future beyond that point. Anti-abortion activist Janet Porter, who has pushed for the heartbeat bill for several years, declined to comment on the delay.”

Ohio Pastor J.C. Church who is involved with the bill says this:  

“We are battling hard here in Ohio for the heartbeat bill. It passed the Ohio House 2 weeks ago with a veto proof 60 votes. [The Senate postponed a vote Wednesday]. Last Friday I met with Senate Leaders and we are working on veto proof numbers! We are all in on this and working it daily. Also, our Governor has said he will veto this once he gets it. We are making a solid push to override him. I will do a press conference early next week as part of our plan to make this happen. This is consuming us daily as we fight to make history.” (By Jackie Borchardt for the Cincinati Enquirer)