By Gabriella Borter

(Reuters) – Republican legislators in Florida have filed a bill to prohibit abortion after 15 weeks. The exceptions are in the case of grave medical emergencies or fatal fetal anomalies.

This bill was introduced by the Florida legislature on the first day 2022 session. It sets the scene for an abortion access battle that will be fought in court and in state capitals as the United States Supreme Court considers a case which could change abortion rights.

An exclusion of 15 weeks would go against the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade precedent. This 1973 case established that women have the right to end their pregnancy prior to the embryo is viable.

However, the Supreme Court with its conservative 6-3 majority has given reason for hope to anti-abortion activists that such a ban might soon stand.

The Supreme Court heard December arguments regarding Mississippi’s request to reinstate its 15-week ban against abortions. Lower courts had blocked it. While conservative justices expressed sympathy for Mississippi’s law in December, the Supreme Court is likely to rule in spring.

Mississippi wins the appeals court. This will allow Florida and other states to defend the pre-viability bans against abortions they have in place.

This Florida law is one of many Republican-backed antiabortion laws that have been passed in other states in recent years. More are expected to be adopted in the wake of the Supreme Court decision. Florida’s current law bans abortion after 24 hours.

The United States has been divided politically on abortion for many years. Abortion opponents are concerned with preserving human life, while abortion rights advocates stand for women’s autonomy.

It will be a major issue in the midterm elections of 2022 to determine control of Congress.