On Friday, March 17, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed the state’s medical abortion ban into effect, making Wyoming the first state to ban abortion pills.
The new legislation, House Bill 152-Life is a Human Right, reflects Gordon’s strong pro-life record. Previously signed legislation includes Senate File 109 – Prohibiting Chemical Abortion and Senate File 79–Plan of Safe Care-Newborns. Last year, he signed the House Enrolled Act No. 92 Abortion Prohibition-Supreme Court Decision and House Bill 4 – Medicaid Twelve-Month Postpartum Coverage.
In a letter released on Friday addressed to Wyoming’s Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, Gordon said, “I have a strong record of protecting the lives of the unborn, as well as their mothers. I believe all life is sacred and that every individual, including the unborn, should be treated with dignity and compassion,”
“I have acted without bias and after extensive prayer to allow these bills to become law.”
Wyoming marks the first of what is expected to be several anti-abortions measures of the kind. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking to withdraw its approval of mifepristone in Texas. This drug blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. At this time, there has been no official decision made, but the efforts reflect the changing landscape following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022.
