GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham proposes nationwide abortion ban, and Democrats seem delighted
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) released proposed legislation Tuesday to ban abortion nationwide after 15 weeks, with rare exceptions. He pledged that Congress would vote on his bill if Republicans win control in November.
Anti-abortion activists, quietly seeking to rally Republicans around a single abortion position since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, embraced Graham's plan, "hoping to settle divisions and blunt political damage from an issue with growing potency in the midterm elections," The New York Times reports. Instead, "Graham's Senate allies swiftly distanced themselves from the plan, reflecting a lack of consensus in the party."
Democrats almost uniformly portrayed Graham's bill as "a political gift of self-inflicted pain for Republican candidates now having to answer questions about an abortion ban," not inflation or volatile markets, The Associated Press reports. "So obvious was the apparent ill-timing of the bill's introduction that one White House aide said a Republican lobbyist friend joked that Graham appeared to be working for the Biden administration," Politico reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Dems might need to send gift baskets and champagne to Graham and other Republicans for their selfless act of service today," another Democratic official told Politico.
"A nationwide abortion ban — that's the contrast between the two parties, plain and simple," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) did not agree with that assessment. "I think every Republican senator running this year in these contested races has an answer as to how they feel about the issue," he said.
Graham's 15-week national ban includes exceptions for rape, incest, and risk to the physical health of the mother, but it would serve as a baseline, allowing states to enact tighter restrictions. And the rape exception for minors "only applies if the doctor gets documentation from law enforcement reporting a rape," lawyer Max Kennedy notes, meaning Graham would "make it the law that 10-year-olds are presumed to have consented to sex."
Anti-abortion advocates argue that by running from the abortion fight, "Republicans are not only ceding what they believe is a winning political issue but could be jeopardizing the push for further restrictions," the Times reports. "There's no doubt that there are a lot of GOP consultants encouraging candidates to not talk about the issue," said Marc Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence. "It is the wrong approach."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Moldova's pro-West president wins 2nd term
Speed Read Maia Sandu beat Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite suspicions of Russia meddling in the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
2024 race ends with swing state barnstorming
Speed Read Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rallies in battlegrounds over the weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published