Sen. Lindsey Graham proposes nationwide 15-week abortion ban

Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has proposed a bill that would ban abortions across the United States after the pregnancy has passed the 15-week period.

Graham’s bill comes 3 months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

“I think we should have a law at the federal level that would say after 15 weeks, no abortion on demand except in cases of rape, incest and save the life of a mother. And that should be where America’s at,” Graham said during a press conference.

“Abortion is a contentious issue. Post Dobbs, America’s got to make a decision,” Graham added. “States have the ability to do it at a state level, and we have the ability in Washington to speak on this issue if we choose. I have chosen to speak.”

Graham continued to make this case by saying that the baby has developed enough to feel pain from an abortion after 15 weeks. Graham said that his bill would allow no abortions except in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother after the 15 week stage. “And that should be where America’s at,” the senator said.

The bill has been proposed two months ahead of the midterm elections with Graham saying that the bill was a balancing act to find common ground on the issue.

“We’re trying to take a position we think will rally the country to be more sympathetic to an unborn child,” Graham said.

However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed his doubts about the bill, saying: “I think most of the members of my conference prefer that this will be dealt with at the state level.”

Democrats have also hit out at Graham’s bill.

Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington who is in her own fight for re-election, claimed Republicans “want to force” women to stay pregnant and deliver babies. “To anyone who thought they were safe, here is the painful reality,” Murray said. “Republicans are coming for your rights.”

The White House also took aim at the bill, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling it “wildly out of step with what Americans believe.”

“While President Biden and Vice President Harris are focused on the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, health care, and energy – and to take unprecedented action to address climate change — Republicans in Congress are focused on taking rights away from millions of women,” Jean-Pierre went on to say.