Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has unveiled a comprehensive abortion agenda that would require states to receive approval before fully enacting new pro-life laws.
The idea, which is outlined in the candidate’s Reproductive Health Care and Justice For All proposal, would “ban” state laws that “put undue and unnecessary burdens and regulations” on abortion providers.
Specifics for the “preclearance” process have not yet been outlined, nor is it clear what government body would be approving these laws.
In different portion of the proposal, Sanders also indicates that he wants to see Roe v Wade used as a litmus test for future Supreme Court nominees, and have the landmark abortion decision enshrined into law.
The comprehensive abortion plan has been unveiled as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments earlier this week in the first abortion legislation case since the senate approved Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the court in 2018.
As the Daily Wire previously reported, the plaintiffs in the case have challenged a Louisiana law that requires clinics to obtain hospital admitting privileges in case of a botched abortion.
While the case is not expected to be decided soon, it attracted both pro-life protesters and pro-abortion protesters to demonstrate outside the courthouse, with some of the pro-abortion activists making some astounding remarks.
During the demonstration, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) recalled her time serving as a Michigan lawmaker, and proudly recalled a particularly long one-liner.
“You know I, in the legislature, in the Michigan legislature for six years, used to say to people, ‘Yo yo, you know what? You’re so freakin obsessed with what I decide to do with my body, maybe you shouldn’t even want to have sex with me,’ or with you, or with any woman,” declared Tlaib.
Renee Brecey Sherman, who embraces the nickname “The Beyonce of Abortion Story-Telling,” remarked during the demonstration that having an abortion was “honestly one of the best decisions of my life.”
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also drew condemnation for making the following alleged threat to two conservative justices while speaking at the rally: “I want to tell you Gorsuch, I want to tell you Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”
In response to the remarks, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement condemning Schumer’s words as “dangerous.”
“Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous,” said Roberts. “All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter.”
According to The Daily Wire, a spokesperson for Schumer said that the remarks had been mischaracterized, and suggested that by saying “you will pay the price,” he was actually referring to a political price.
“It was a reference to the political price Rs will pay for putting them on the court, and a warning that the justices will unleash major grassroots movement on the issue of reproductive rights against the decision,” the spokesperson continued.