Senate Democrats on Thursday argued a bill proposed this week by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) signals Republicans will seek a nationwide ban on abortion should they take the majority in November.
15-WEEK BAN SPLITS GOP AS ABORTION LOOMS OVER MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Graham this week proposed a bill that would prohibit the procedure nationally after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. After the Supreme Court struck down its previous ruling in Roe v. Wade, the issue went back to the states to legislate, resulting in varying levels of restrictions.
But Republicans are split on the proposal, and it does not appear to have the backing of Senate GOP leadership. In comments about the bill, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told reporters this week, “I think most of the members of my conference prefer that this be dealt with at the state level.”
Democrats, including Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, argued the bill is proof Republicans would move to ban the procedure if in the majority.
“If there is any doubt about Republicans’ true intentions about their extreme abortion plans, there is no question after this week,” she said.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) blasted the bill, arguing, “I refuse to let my constituents walk into their OB appointments and have to be haunted by the voice of Marco Rubio telling them what they can and cannot do with their bodies.”
“I refuse to force any woman to have to live her life fearful that Lindsey Graham effectively has more control over her medical decisions than she or her doctor,” Duckworth continued.
Graham this week described his proposal as part of a counter to arguments that voters are moving toward Democrats as a result of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling.
“There’s a narrative forming in America that the Republican Party and the pro-life movement are on the run,” Graham said at a press conference with the leaders of anti-abortion advocacy groups. “No, no, no, no, no. We’re going nowhere. We welcome the debate. We welcome the vote.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Congress failed to pass a bill supporters said would codify the previous Roe standard in federal law when the proposal, the Women’s Health Protection Act, failed to clear the upper chamber’s filibuster threshold.
