Awaiting political debate, Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a nationwide abortion ban on Tuesday, shocking both parties and sparking fresh debate on a heated issue weeks before midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Graham’s own GOP leaders did not immediately pass the abortion ban bill, which would ban the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy with rare exceptions and has little chance of becoming law in the Democratic-controlled Congress. . Democrats burned it as a troubling sign of where “MAGA” Republicans are headed if they win control of the House and Senate in November. “America has to make some decisions,” Graham told a news conference on Capitol Hill. The South Carolina Republican said that instead of avoiding a Supreme Court decision this summer that overturns the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade right to access abortion, Republicans are preparing to fight to create a federal law to ban abortion in national level. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, we’re not going anywhere,” the senator said while flanked by female supporters of the anti-abortion movement. “We welcome the debate. We welcome the vote in the United States Senate on what America should look like in 2022.” The backlash was swift, fierce and unwavering from Democrats who saw Graham’s legislation as an extreme example of far-right dominance in the GOP and a political gift of self-inflicted pain for Republican candidates who now have to answer questions about the abortion ban. to the midterm elections. “A nationwide ban on abortion — that’s bipartisanship, plain and simple,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, who is waging her own re-election battle, said Republicans “want to force” women to get pregnant and have babies. “For anyone who thought they were safe, here is the painful reality,” he said. “Republicans are coming for your rights.” The sudden turn of events comes in a tight election season as Republicans hoping to win control of Congress struggle to regain momentum, particularly after a landmark Supreme Court decision that sparked deep concern among some voters, with signs of female voters who they break away from Congress. GOP. In a midterm election where the party outside the White House has traditionally held an advantage, even more so this year with President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings, Democrats have regained their own momentum by pushing GOP candidates in House and Senate races. Tuesday’s announcement created an immediate divide with Biden and Democrats poised to celebrate their achievements at a White House ceremony after the deflation bill passed and Republicans forced to respond to a proposed abortion ban by Graham. “This bill is completely inconsistent with what the American people believe,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “While President Biden and Vice President Harris focus on the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act to lower prescription drug, health care and energy costs — and to take unprecedented action on climate change — the Republicans in Congress are focused on taking rights away from millions of women,” Jean-Pierre said. Graham’s legislation has almost zero chance of becoming law, but it raises the issue of abortion at a time when other Republicans would rather focus on inflation, border security and Biden’s leadership. The Republican bill would ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother’s physical health. Graham said it would bring the US on par with many countries in Europe and around the world. Specifically, Graham’s bill would leave state laws that are more restrictive in place. This provision is notable because many Republicans have argued that the Supreme Court decision leaves the issue of abortion up to the states. But the Republican legislation makes clear that states are only allowed to decide on the issue if abortion bans are tightened. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who is one seat shy of majority control, has refused to embrace Graham’s legislation. “I think every Republican senator who’s in these contentious races this year has an answer for how they feel about the issue,” McConnell said. He said most GOP senators prefer the issue be handled at the state rather than federal level. “So I leave it to our candidates who are competent enough to handle this issue to determine for themselves what their answer is.” Democratic senators are more at risk this fall, and other Democratic congressional candidates have appeared willing to fight against Graham’s proposed nationwide abortion ban. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, tweeted that Graham “and every other anti-choice extremist can take a hike.” Her Republican opponent, Adam Laxalt, has insisted during his campaign that abortion is protected by the state constitution, which may no longer be under this bill. In Colorado, another Democratic candidate for re-election, Sen. Michael Bennett, tweeted: “National abortion ban is outrageous. “ Bennett pledged to “defend a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, no matter what zip code she lives in. We can’t afford to let the Republicans take back the Senate.” His opponent in Colorado, Republican Joe O’Dea, who supports enacting the abortion access law guaranteed under Roe v. Wade, agreed, in part: “The Republican ban is just as reckless and tone-deaf as Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer. hostility to considering any compromise on late-term abortion, parental notification, or conscience protection for religious hospitals.” Races for control of Congress are tight in the 50-50 split Senate, where one seat determines majority control, and the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi can afford to lose only a few seats. Pelosi called Graham’s bill “the clearest message yet of the intent of extreme MAGA Republicans to criminalize women’s health freedom in all 50 states and arrest doctors for providing essential care. Make no mistake: if Republicans have the chance, they will work to pass laws even more draconian than this bill.” Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have tried to hold the party together amid the divisions. “I think what he’s trying to do is probably change the conversation a little bit,” said Sen. John Thune, Republican of South Dakota and the party’s second-in-command. “Democrats are implying that all Republicans are in favor of the ban without exceptions, and that’s not true,” Thune said. “There are Republicans who are in favor of restrictions. And I think this is an effort to at least put something out there that reflects the views of many Republicans who are in favor of some restrictions.” Associated Press writers Kevin Freking in Washington and Nick Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report.
