The Louisiana Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit abortion except to save the life of the mother. The measure, which passed on a 30-7 vote, is similar to one enacted earlier this year in South Dakota. The legislation now goes to the Louisiana House of Representatives for consideration.

Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, applauded Louisiana for taking a positive step toward “rebuilding the culture of life after decades of Roe v. Wade’s devastation.”

“Everyone’s life deserves the protection of law,” he added. “I pray that the Louisiana House will continue the work to protect the most vulnerable in the Bayou State, the unborn.”