WASHINGTON, D.C. – Should there be a nation wide law on abortions? One U.S. Senator is proposing to ban almost all abortions after 15 weeks, but the idea is causing chaos at the Capitol.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortions, it’s been a hot topic here at the Capitol. The Democrats are trying to codify Roe into law but struggle to find bipartisan support in order to pass this legislation.
Recently, Republican Senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham (R- SC), released his own abortion legislation.
“I think we should have a law at the federal level that would say after 15 weeks no abortion on demand except in case of incest, rape, to save the life of the mother and that should be where America is at,” said Graham.
Members in his own party haven’t been quick to support this idea.
“Most of the members in my conference prefer this be dealt with at the state level,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell (R- KY).
States have been dealing with this issue after the Roe decision became final. Voters in Kansas rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would’ve banned abortions. West Virginia recently passed a near total ban on abortion. Other states like New York is investing millions to expand abortion care and provider capacity.
“We’ve witnessed over the past several months a full out assault on women,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D- NY). “On their reproductive freedom, on their basic civil rights and civil liberties, to make decisions that are life and death decisions to them.”
Democrats are strongly fighting against Graham’s proposal.
“This should be blocked in every way possible,” said Gillibrand. “This should be called out for what it is: an attack on women, an attack on our bodily autonomy, an attack on our sovereignty as human beings, its unconscionable, it’s wrong, and we have to defeat it.”
The Democrats are worried that if Republicans take the majority in the Senate and the House, that Republicans would pursue legislation like Graham’s. Although Graham is calling on this legislation to be put to a vote, it’s unlike that will happen.
