NC enacts new abortion restrictions as Republicans override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto

New restrictions on abortions in North Carolina passed as the Republican-supermajority North Carolina General Assembly voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 20. State law currently bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Starting July 1, the restriction would be tightened to 12 weeks. Both chambers split along party lines, with a 72-48 House vote following a 30-20 vote in the Senate.

Timeline: In 1973, North Carolina legislators enacted new abortion laws within a year of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade granting Americans abortion rights.

April 5: State Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County leaves the Democratic Party and joins the GOP, giving Republicans the supermajority they need to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes.

May 4: North Carolina state senate passes GOP-proposed abortion bill, sending it to Gov. Roy Cooper.

May 13: Cooper vetoes the bill.

May 17: GOP-controlled legislature overrides Cooper's veto.

The new abortion laws take effect July 1.