Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed legislation that will ban abortions in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy joining other as Republican-led states to restrict abortion access and protect the unborn.

Florida currently allows abortions up to 24 weeks. The new law, which passed the GOP-controlled legislature in March, includes exceptions for the life of the mother and “fatal fetal anomalies” but does not make exceptions for rape or incest. It would take effect in July.

“We are here today to defend those who can’t defend themselves,” said DeSantis, who is up for reelection this year and widely seen as a 2024 presidential hopeful. He added, “Of course, these are babies that have heartbeats and that can feel pain and can move.”

Democratic lawmakers in the state fought hard to stop the bill’s passage earlier this year, staging a series of protests at the Tallahassee capitol.