latest proposal
Elizabeth Warren fears Republicans' attempts to dismantle Roe v. Wade 'just might work'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has unveiled her latest policy proposal, this time taking aim at a series of new abortion laws across the country.
Warren in a Medium post on Friday criticizes "extremist Republican lawmakers" enacting laws restricting abortion access and expresses concern that their efforts to have Roe v. Wade overturned by the Supreme Court "just might work."
The 2020 Democrat goes on to call for Congress to "pass new federal laws that protect access to reproductive care from right-wing ideologues in the states." These laws would prevent states from interfering in the ability of a health care provider to provide abortions or for patients to access them. This, she says, would "ensure that choice would remain the law of the land even if the Supreme Court overturns Roe." The laws should also guarantee access to birth control, she said.
Warren also calls for federal laws to prevent states from limiting access to abortion "while not technically contravening Roe," as well as guaranteeing all health insurance providers offer reproductive health coverage. This would involve repealing the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funds from being used for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is in danger.
This proposal from Warren comes amid a string of controversial abortion laws throughout the country, the most restrictive of which is in Alabama, as it prohibits almost all abortions even in cases of rape and incest and makes performing abortion a felony. Upon signing the legislation, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said this law presents the Supreme Court with an opportunity to "revisit" Roe v. Wade.