Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) wore an “abortion” pin that included a heart inside the letter “o” to the State of the Union address Tuesday night, sparking criticism online.
The Democratic Party has become increasingly radical in its abortion stance, moving away from the oft-cited “safe, legal, and rare” position to advocating for taxpayer-funded abortion on demand.
“I’m wearing my abortion pin from [Planned Parenthood Federation of America] to tonight’s State of the Union address,” Markey captioned two photos. “Abortion is essential healthcare and we need to codify this right.”
I’m wearing my abortion pin from @PPFA to tonight’s State of the Union address. Abortion is essential healthcare and we need to codify this right. pic.twitter.com/ZfNj5OEZcj
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) February 8, 2023
The senator was hit with some criticism online, including from nonprofit Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. “SICK,” the group’s Twitter account reacted.
SICK. pic.twitter.com/HNrwq7lEmm
— SBA Pro-Life America | 72% 🇺🇸 support 15 weeks (@sbaprolife) February 8, 2023
“You’re not just wearing an ‘abortion pin’…you’re wearing a [heart] abortion pin indicating that you LOVE abortion,” pro-life advocate Obianuju Ekeocha replied. “You are an evil depraved man.”
You’re not just wearing an “abortion pin”…you’re wearing a 👉🏾❤️abortion pin indicating that you LOVE abortion. You are an evil depraved man.
— Obianuju Ekeocha (@obianuju) February 8, 2023
“Democrat man wears pin showing his love of abortion, which violently ends human life in the mother’s womb,” author and commentator Mollie Hemingway said.
Democrat man wears pin showing his love of abortion, which violently ends human life in the mother's womb.
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) February 8, 2023
The GOP House Judiciary Twitter account simply wrote, “Disgusting.” Markey responded, “What’s disgusting is the GOP’s obsession with controlling people’s bodies.”
What’s disgusting is the GOP’s obsession with controlling people’s bodies. https://t.co/JKWrfATfUe
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) February 8, 2023
“Congress must restore the right, and the — Congress must restore the right that was taken away in Roe v. Wade and protect Roe v. Wade. Give every woman [inaudible] right,” Biden said during his address, according to a New York Times transcript.
“The vice president and I are doing everything to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient safety. But already, more than a dozen states are enforcing extreme abortion bans,” he added. “Make no mistake about it: If Congress passes a national ban, I will veto it.”
Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, Markey similarly lashed out.
“What we have feared most has come to pass. A stolen, illegitimate, and far-right majority on the Supreme Court has destroyed nearly fifty years of precedent guaranteeing the constitutional right to an abortion,” the senator said in a press release. “The overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey is an egregious and overtly political act that jeopardizes the health, safety, and freedom of millions of Americans.”
“I once again ask my Senate colleagues, what other judicial outrage must we endure from the illegitimate Supreme Court majority before we act?” he continued. “The most fundamental rights we hold dear as Americans are at stake. The right to privacy is at stake. The right to use contraception is at stake. The right to marry who you love is at stake. And with this decision, the very lives of those seeking to exercise their right to reproductive freedom are at stake.”
“We must act now and expand the Supreme Court to bring balance to the bench and restore its legitimacy in the eyes of the American people,” Markey urged.
Related: ‘Nonsensical And Random Yelling’: Biden Criticized For Fumbles, Repeated ‘Lies’ In SOTU Speech