Federal Heartbeat Bill Introduced to Ban Abortion Nationwide at Six Weeks

Senate Republicans introduced the Life at Conception Act paired with a companion federal heartbeat bill that would ban abortion nationwide once cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. The bill represents the first major federal abortion restriction attempt since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and returned the issue to states. Opponents argued the bill would override state laws that currently protect abortion access.