Earlier this week, the Ohio legislature voted on a bill that would effectively ban an abortion as soon as a foetal heartbeat is detectable. During the debate, state representative Teresa Fedor revealed her own story and why she was opposed to the bill.

In an emotional speech to her fellow politicians - reported by the Toledo Blade - Rep. Fedor said, “you don’t respect my reason, my rape, my abortion, and I guarantee you there are other women who should stand up with me and be courageous enough to speak that voice."

“What you’re doing is so fundamentally inhuman, unconstitutional, and I’ve sat here too long," she added. "This debate is purely political. I understand your story, but you don’t understand mine... It is a personal decision, and how dare government get into my business.”

Towards the end of her comments, she notices somebody laughing in the room. "It happens to be a man who is laughing," she explains, adding that she does not know if the person is laughing at her story or not. "But this is serious business right now and I’m speaking for all the women in the state of Ohio who didn’t get the opportunity to be in front of that committee and make this statement,” she adds.

While the controversial bill passed the vote, Toledo Blade reports the state senate is unlikely to take it up.

In the speech, Fedor stated she would rather people watch the video of her speech than read about it a newspaper. You can watch it below: