History was made in Alabama Tuesday night as the state passed the most restrictive abortion law the United States has ever seen. The governor signed the measure into law the next day.
Under the passed legislation, doctors could face up to 99 years in prison for performing an abortion. Democrats had re-introduced an amendment to exempt rape and incest victims, but the motion failed.
"We know what happens when safe and legal abortions are banned: Women die. That is a fact, based on our own history in this country," said Mara Posada, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of South Texas.
Posada argued bills like Alabama's are an attack on women's health.
"They're going against what the American people want," she said. "Access to legal safe abortions are at an all-time high. This is definitely something we, again and again, make sure politicians are aware of, and unfortunately they're not listening."
But Amy Voorhees, the founder of San Antonio's Coalition for Life, said they are listening.
"Of course we'd like to make sure that abortion is not an option," she said. "We value (life) from conception to natural death, so any law that comes through that's going to support that effort is going to get an A-plus in our book."
While abortions are still legal in the State of Texas, both sides agree the conversation still rages.
"We mobilize our supporters. We work with government officials who believe in women's healthcare," Posada said.
"We're going to show that life is there, no matter the circumstances and we want to protect it," Voorhees added.
The Alabama measure won't take effect until November.