The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill guaranteeing the right to an abortion and other reproductive rights.
The 34-33 vote in the Democratic-controlled senate came following 15 hours of grueling debate at the state capitol building.
“Minnesotans made it clear that they wanted their government to protect their rights and freedoms, not restrict them, and that is exactly what we are doing,” said Senate DFL leader Kari Dziedzic.
Debate began at noon Friday and the final vote came around 3:00 a.m. Saturday.
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the PRO (Protect Reproductive Options) bill earlier this month.
Senate Republicans offered a number of amendments that were rejected.
“We are enacting the most extreme bill in the country regarding youth sterilization, late-term abortions, and public liability for a vast array of reproductive services," said Senate Republican leader Mark Johnson. "All this with just a one-seat majority."
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Governor Walz is expected to sign the bill into law, making Minnesota the first state to codify the right to an abortion since Roe versus Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court.