“I’m pro-life, even in an election year,” Graham told “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream. “I am confident that the American people will accept a national ban on abortion at 15 weeks,” Graham said. “And to those who suggest that being pro-life makes you lose politics, I reject that.” The South Carolina Republican introduced a bill on Tuesday that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy nationwide, with exceptions for rape, incest and when the mother’s life is in danger. The move has drawn criticism from some in his own party, who have expressed a desire to leave abortion law up to the states after the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in June. Bream asked Graham about comments he made two days after the ruling, in which the South Carolina Republican said Americans should “let each state do as they wish” on abortion restrictions. “Here’s what Dobbs is saying: elected officials can make the decision, state or federal. I’m not inconsistent,” Graham said when Bream pressed him on his comments in June. Graham called the proposal “ridiculous” that he has reversed his position, noting that he has introduced a 20-week abortion ban multiple times in the Senate and in other related bills. But he acknowledged that “we’re not going to pass everything” when it comes to abortion bills. “I will not sit on the sidelines and watch this nation become China when it comes to aborting babies right up until the moment of birth,” he said. “I reject it. I will continue to introduce legislation at national level setting a minimum standard at 15 weeks.” Despite general agreement among Republican lawmakers on tightening state-level abortion restrictions, Graham’s proposal has met with some GOP opposition. The bill’s introduction comes less than two months before the midterm elections, and Republicans hope to wrest control of Congress. Democrats, meanwhile, hope the abortion ruling can energize liberal voters in races this fall to retain their slim majority. Ukrainian ambassador over alleged war crimes by Russia: ‘There’s no war logic in all of this’ GOP senator says he won’t support Graham’s national abortion ban Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters last week that his caucus is unwilling to discuss the legislation. “I think most of the members of my conference would prefer that this be handled at the state level,” McConnell said. Asked if Graham’s bill was approved by leadership, Republican Senator Whip John Thune (SD) similarly said “no.”
