COLUMBUS — Faith 2 Action, the anti-abortion group pushing legislation that would outlaw abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, is stepping up political pressure against Republican state senators.

The group bought full-page ads in the Western Star (Lebanon), the Celina Daily Standard and other daily papers across the state, challenging Republican lawmakers in their home districts to prove that they aren’t “RINOs” — Republicans in Name Only. Faith 2 Action is also mailing tens of thousands of postcards to registered Republican voters in nine key districts, asking them if their state senator is a RINO. Among the targeted Republican senators: Shannon Jones of Springboro, Keith Faber of Celina, and Chris Widener of Springfield.

While the Ohio House passed the so-called “heartbeat” bill, Senate President Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, has refused to bring it up for a floor vote. The Ohio Right to Life and Niehaus have said they fear that the bill would be ruled unconstitutional and could set bad legal precedent.

That has not placated Faith 2 Action, which has waged an extended campaign to pass House Bill 125. “They ran as pro-lifers. It’s time to be true to their word,” said Janet Porter, head of Faith 2 Action.