Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards wants lawmakers to add more exceptions to the state's abortion ban.
The pro-life Democrat this year signed a bill that allows exceptions to the state's abortion law for ectopic pregnancies, and other circumstances where pregnancies are considered "medically futile" or otherwise a danger to a mother's life. But Edwards said there should be more.
"There are exceptions. There aren't enough," the governor said of the law. "I do think there needs to be a rape and incest exception added."
Edwards said a woman should not be required to carry a pregnancy to term if that pregnancy was a result of her being the victim of a violent crime.
"Should a 13-year-old rape victim, or an incest victim, be required to carry their step-daddy's baby to term? I think the answer to that is no," said Edwards.
The governor wants the Louisiana Legislature to address this in its next session. He said other conservative states are also addressing the issue:
"You see some states that are now going into special session or otherwise taking up these abortion bans," he said, "and they're having in some cases at least, exceptions for rape and incest."
Edwards says he believes there are enough Louisiana legislators who agree. He says the question is, will they vote their conscience?