Idaho governor signs abortion ban modeled after Texas law

Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday signed new abortion restrictions into law, and the White House quickly issued a statement condemning the measure.

Idaho will now allow those who would have been family members to an aborted baby to sue the abortion provider who helped the woman terminate her pregnancy after cardiac activity is detected in the fetus, which is typically after six weeks of gestation.

Idaho is the first state to enact legislation modeled after Texas' abortion law, but the lawsuits allowed under Idaho's law are narrower than in the Lone Star State, which allows any private citizen to sue any person who assists in an abortion.

The legislation includes exceptions for incest, rape, and medical emergencies.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement shortly after Little signed the bill. She claimed the law "blatantly violates the constitutional right reaffirmed by Roe v. Wade."

"This development is devastating for women in Idaho, as it will further impede women’s access to health care, especially those on low incomes and living in rural communities," Psaki claimed, before stating that the "Biden-Harris Administration will continue to stand with women."

The Idaho House passed the abortion restrictions last week with overwhelming support of 51-14 after passing the state Senate 28-6 earlier this month.

Idaho's ban will take effect in 30 days, The Associated Press reported.

"I stand in solidarity with all Idahoans who seek to protect the lives of preborn babies," Little wrote in a letter to Republican Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, according to the outlet.

However, Little also mentioned his concerns about the law's civil enforcement.

"While I support the pro-life policy in this legislation, I fear the novel civil enforcement mechanism will in short order be proven both unconstitutional and unwise," he wrote according to AP.

Little's signature comes one day after the Oklahoma House passed legislation that would ban all abortions, unless medically necessary, in the state.