The Tennessee House passed a bill Thursday that bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

State representatives approved House Bill 2263 in a 68-17 vote.

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“Hopefully we can protect more lives, we can save more babies,” said Rep. Susan Lynn (R) of Mount Juliet.

The measure, called the “heartbeat bill”, was proposed by Gov. Bill Lee.

The bill would make it a class C felony to perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, with an exception for medical emergencies.

It also requires an ultrasound be performed prior to an abortion and makes it illegal to induce an abortion because of the child’s sex, race, or potential for Down syndrome.

“This legislation does not stand between a woman and her doctor. This legislation stands between a baby and its executioner,” said Rep. Micah Van Huss (R) from Jonesborough.

Democrats rose to oppose the bill.

“I do not need legislators in my doctor’s office. And if we are going to legislate health on women and not men then we are not treating women equally,” said Rep. Gloria Johnson (D) of Knoxville.

Others say similar bills have been met with push back from the courts.

“Why are we allowing the state to spend more money and court fees on a bill that we know is going to get struck down in the court system?” asked Rep. London Lamar (D) from Memphis. . .

The bill is now in the hands of the Senate, which went into recess around 10:30 Thursday evening after Planned Parenthood supporters somehow got into the Senate chambers in violation of the rules.

(Excerpt from WJHL. Article by Anslee Daniel.)