Graham introduces nationwide 15-week abortion ban legislation
by Nathaniel Weixel - 09/13/22 12:38 PM ET
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday introduced a bill that would ban abortions nationally after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The bill comes three months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade’s constitutional right to an abortion, and marks the most serious effort by Republicans in Congress to pass a nationwide abortion restriction.
“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.
The proposal also comes just two months before the midterm elections, where Republicans in battleground states are trying to navigate a growing voter backlash to the Supreme Court decision while also appealing to the party’s base that’s pushing for immediate action on imposing total abortion bans.
Graham nodded to the balancing act, indicating that a more extreme ban wouldn’t be popular with mainstream voters.
“We’re trying to take a position we think will rally the country to be more sympathetic to an unborn child,” Graham said.
But the bill would retain state laws that are more restrictive, while replacing laws in blue states that protect abortion.
The legislation includes exceptions for incest, rape and for saving the life of the mother if she is in danger from a physical condition. It also includes a potential five-year jail sentence for any provider who violates the ban.
Graham, who just last month said the Supreme Court made the correct decision by leaving abortion decisions up to states, on Tuesday said elected officials have the power to define and regulate abortion, including in Congress.
“Abortion is not banned in America. It’s left up to elected officials in America to define the issue. States have the ability to do it at state level. And we have the ability in Washington to speak on this issue if we choose,” Graham said. “I have chosen to speak.”
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https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3640849-graham-introduces-nationwide-15-week-abortion-ban-legislation/
