North Dakota Pushes ‘Heartbeat’ Abortion Ban to Higher Court

North Dakota’s Attorney General will appeal a court’s decision to strike down a state law banning the vast majority of abortions.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland overturned the ban last month, calling the law “invalid and unconstitutional.” It would make abortions illegal from the time the fetus develops a heartbeat, which can often be detected six weeks into a pregnancy. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem filed an appeal on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The motion was supported by more than 60 North Dakota lawmakers.

[AP]