Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has introduced a bill to ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks.
The bill, dubbed the “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act,” was announced during a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
“I see this as a responsible alternative to the very radical position by Democratic senators,” Graham said. “I can assure that a vast majority of Americans do not support abortion on demand up to delivery.”
Press conference starting soon as we introduce the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act.
WATCH ONLINE 12 NOON:https://t.co/NVBDIkJOX7
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 13, 2022
Graham also noted the connection of the issue with the nation’s November midterm elections.
“This bill puts us in line with the rest of the world, so when you’re on the campaign trail you have a chance to talk about what you’re for,” the senator stated.
The new bill offers exceptions for rape, incest, and the protection of the life of a mother during pregnancy. The bill also prohibits the prosecution of women who seek abortions.
Instead, the legislation would include a penalty of up to five years in prison for doctors who perform abortions.
The bill also includes requirements regarding the treatment of a child born alive after an abortion procedure. The text of the bill would require a qualified physician to be present at an abortion if a child can survive outside of the womb.
Many states have passed laws related to abortion following the Supreme Court’s ruling in June that overturned Roe v. Wade and returned laws regarding the issue to individual states. Graham’s effort marks the first major GOP initiative since the ruling to introduce an abortion ban at the federal level.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement on Tuesday to address Graham’s newly proposed legislation.
“This bill is wildly out of step with what Americans believe,” she said.
“President Biden and Congressional Democrats are committed to restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade in the face of continued radical steps by elected Republicans to put personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians instead of women and their doctors, threatening women’s health and lives,” she added.
Graham has argued that if Republicans take back the Senate in November, the issue will come up for a vote. For now, the legislation would require 60 votes in the 50-50 deadlocked chamber, making the bill unlikely to move forward.
The House, currently controlled by Democrats, would also almost certainly not decide in favor of the bill.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America celebrated the announcement in a press release, with the organization’s President Marjorie Dannenfelser joining Graham at the event.
“Democrats’ pro-abortion extremism flies in the face of American public opinion which strongly supports compassionate limits on abortion like those proposed today by Sen. Graham and Rep. Smith. Seventy-five percent of women, 70% of Independents and 60% of rank-and-file Democrats support legislation to protect babies by at least 15 weeks. This bill would bring the U.S. in line with 47 out of 50 of our European allies who protect life at this stage or even earlier,” Dannenfelser said.
“It is time to modernize our laws. We thank Sen. Graham and Rep. Smith for their ongoing leadership in defense of women and the unborn and call on all pro-life Republicans as well as Democrats to support this commonsense legislation,” she added.