RALEIGH, N.C. — Less than 48 hours after North Carolina Republicans released their plan to ban most abortions after 12 weeks, the bill passed both the state House and Senate.

The Senate on Thursday voted 29-20. The House late Wednesday night voted 71-45. Both votes were along party lines.

What You Need To Know

  • A 12-week abortion ban passed both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly on party-line votes

  • The ban on abortions after the first trimester has exceptions for rape and incest, the life of the mother and "life limiting abnormalities"

  • The House and Senate voted to approve the bill less than 48 hours after it was introduced

  • The governor says he will veto the 12-week ban, but Republicans appear to have enough votes to override a veto

Republicans appear to have enough votes in both chambers to override a veto. Rep. Tricia Cotham, who switched parties to become a Republican last month, voted yes on the bill to give it a veto-proof majority.

“Don’t let this so-called 12 week abortion ban fool you. It will effectively ban access to reproductive freedom earlier and sometimes altogether for many women,” Gov. Roy Cooper said, vowing to veto the bill.

“This is why Republicans are ramming it through with no change to amend. I will veto this extreme ban and need everyone’s help to hold it,” he said.

Republicans have been negotiating behind closed doors on new abortion restrictions. They filed the bill late on Tuesday that would ban most abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions for rape and incest, “life limiting abnormalities” and to save the life of the mother.

Read more about the details of the bill: N.C. GOP unveils abortion bill – 5 things to know

“The bill that’s been developed is a common sense, reasonable approach to restricting second- and third-trimester abortions,” Senate leader Phil Berger said Tuesday.

Thursday’s Senate debate drew emotional speeches from both sides of the aisle.

“I stand before you today as a passionate advocate for the sanctity of life,” said Sen. Amy Gayley, a Republican representing Alamance and Randolph counties. “I, along with many of the folks I serve with in this chamber, believe that every life from conception to natural death is precious and deserving of protection.”

“We must work to create a society that values and supports women rather than pushing them toward abortion as a solution,” she said. “We must provide education and resources that empower women to make informed and responsible decisions.”

“It is not common sense,” said Sen. Gladys Robinson, a Guilford County Democrat. ”It is unfortunate that in 2023, Republicans believe they know better than women about their own bodies.”

She called the bill “an affront to our dignity and honor.”

Robinson warned the bill could push women to seek unsafe options for abortions.

“This bill is not a women, children and family policy, it is a policy to pander to your Republican base,” she said. “Let me be clear: personal freedoms and rights should not be up for discussion.”

The debate became heated at times, with Republican sponsors on the bill taking issue with Democratic senators calling the bill an "abortion ban."

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the General Assembly on Wednesday before the House vote.

Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate expected Republicans in North Carolina to push for new restrictions after the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade last year.

In North Carolina, abortion is currently legal until 20 weeks of pregnancy.