Backers of the controversial measure called the "heartbeat bill" being considered in the Ohio House are trying a new strategy to get Ohio lawmakers to pass it during the lame duck session. The bill would make abortion illegal at the point a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
Before the election, supporters of the bill aired television ads in specific markets of the state to put pressure on Republicans who were up for re-election. Now, the supporters are airing similar ads in the TV market covering Lima, near where Senate President Keith Faber lives. The groups want to get Faber’s constituents to prod him to support the legislation before the end of the year. Faber has not embraced the legislation, and Governor John Kasich, who is also mentioned in the ads, says he believes the bill might be unconstitutional. Similar bills in two other states have been overturned by federal courts.