Ohio lawmakers seek to abolish death penalty, link to abortion ban

A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers is proposing legislation to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment without parole while also prohibiting state funding for abortions and physician-assisted suicides. This approach links three distinct policy issues under a 'pro-life' banner, drawing both support and criticism from various political factions. Proponents argue that the bill reflects a commitment to human dignity and fiscal responsibility, highlighting the high costs and moral implications of capital punishment. However, critics warn that merging these issues could undermine abortion access and confuse the debate on each topic. Ohio has maintained an unofficial moratorium on executions since 2018 due to difficulties in obtaining execution drugs, with no executions carried out in over five years. The proposed legislation aims to address these ongoing concerns while fostering a unified stance on life-affirming policies in the state.