It’s just a bill
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WaPo…
Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday introduced a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy nationwide, the most prominent effort by Republicans to restrict the procedure since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
“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 or to save the life of the mother,” Graham said at a news conference. “And that should be where America is at.”
Graham’s measure, which stands almost no chance of advancing while Democrats hold the majority in Congress, comes just weeks after he and most Republicans had defended the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe by arguing that allowing states to decide on abortion rights would be the most “constitutionally sound” way of handling the issue.
* Politico…
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) suggested Graham had gone a bit rogue with his latest legislation: “That wasn’t a conference decision. It was an individual senator’s decision.”
“There’s obviously a split of opinion in terms of whether abortion law should be decided by the states, which is my preference … and those who want to set some sort of minimum standard,” Cornyn said of the 50-member Senate GOP conference. “I would keep an open mind on this but my preference would be for those decisions to be made on a state-by-state basis.”
* More…
* I asked Gov. Pritzker’s office for react. Here’s the governor’s response…
Illinois is and always will be a state where we respect women’s rights to make their own decisions about their bodies and their healthcare. The extremists in the GOP told us it should be up to the states to decide and we knew they couldn’t be trusted. A nationwide ban on abortion is not only an egregious attempt to strip away long held rights, but it puts the lives of women at risk. The GOP’s blatant lies are disappointing, but no longer surprising. As Governor, I will never stop fighting to protect every Illinoisans’ right to choose, and I call on all of our representatives to put people over party and vote against a nationwide ban on abortion.
* Sen. Bailey was asked today whether he would support a national abortion ban after 15 weeks…
I’ll have to look at that. I haven’t looked at that. I want to remind people here in Illinois that women are well protected and cared for and nothing is going to change here in Illinois regarding abortions as Gov. Pritzker tries to throw me in that category.
…Adding… DPI…
Today, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez issued the following statement on Republicans’ national abortion ban:
“The Republican party has made clear that it will stop at nothing to strip women of their reproductive rights. Far-right extremist Republicans in Illinois have threatened to do the same here at home — but we will not let them.”
“The stakes of this election could not be more clear. Now more than ever, we must unite to support Democrat pro-choice champions up and down the ballot who will fight to protect abortion access in Washington and here in Illinois. Together, we will ensure that our state remains a safe haven for those who call Illinois home and a beacon of hope for reproductive rights across the country.”
- Northsider - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 1:57 pm:
Vote accordingly.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 1:58 pm:
=== I want to remind people here in Illinois that women are well protected and cared for and nothing is going to change here in Illinois regarding abortions as Gov. Pritzker tries to throw me in that category.
But the bill would change the situation in Illinois.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 1:59 pm:
===I’ll have to look at that. I haven’t looked at that. I want to remind people here in Illinois that women are well protected and cared for and nothing is going to change here in Illinois regarding abortions as Gov. Pritzker tries to throw me in that category.===
Darren Bailey is dangerous to women’s health
This is a dodge.
Bailey is pro-life. He’s said it. On tape. It’s who he is. Bailey wants to make the choice for wonen.
Vote accordingly
- New Day - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 1:59 pm:
A month ago Lindsay Graham praised the Dobbs decision for putting control in the hands of states. Now barely a month later he rips off the masks and pushes legislation that we know the GOP wants, a nationwide standard for and in many cases ban on abortion. Somehow today’s GOP keeps proving Maya Angelou right. When people show you who they are…believe it.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:01 pm:
The more times I read Bailey’s answer the less I understand what he is saying.
- Roadrager - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:02 pm:
==I want to remind people here in Illinois that women are well protected and cared for and nothing is going to change here in Illinois regarding abortions==
So, it’s settled law.
Feels like I may have heard that somewhere before.
- sal-says - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:04 pm:
Beetle:
…nothing is going to change here in Illinois regarding abortions as Gov. Pritzker tries to throw me in that category.
Unless I get elected ?
Sounds like a fair question that Beetle wants to avoid (like many other questions.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:10 pm:
-“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 or to save the life of the mother,”-
Because, you know, State’s Rights and all.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:13 pm:
“Throw me in that category”…such an inarticulate response from Candidate Bailey.
- XonXoff - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:15 pm:
I used to work with a guy who would occasionally say “I was thinking… but nothing happened.” He was an intelligent guy. Bailey reminds me of him, frequently, for the wrong reasons.
It’ll be interesting to watch the hand-wringing behind this.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:21 pm:
Cheap stunt playing to the base.
He knows it will not pass the House now.
And if the GOP gets control of Congress he knows Biden will not sign it and they will not have the votes to override his veto.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:24 pm:
I’m thinking Lindsey G. will be in a lot of ads this fall. Why he gave this gift to the Dems is beyond me. I feel like most folks knew what the plan was, but to say it out loud just adds fuel to the Dems firing up the base.
Bailey, well, he clearly knows to hide his plans on this one thing (if not on anything else).
- Pundent - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:31 pm:
=Bailey, well, he clearly knows to hide his plans on this one thing (if not on anything else).=
Unfortunately he’s backed himself into a corner by calling out Richard Irvin for doing the same thing on this topic. He can’t really un-ring that bell at this point.
- Vote Quimby - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
==This is a dodge. Bailey is pro-life. He’s said it. On tape. It’s who he is. Bailey wants to make the choice for wonen. Vote accordingly==
Amen.
- Grimlock - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:38 pm:
What the heck is Graham thinking? The SC ruling has only helped Democrats, why poke such a huge stick in the hornet’s nest now? I mean, thank you Senator but wow, I bet your fellow members are a bit hot under the collar now.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:42 pm:
Unforced error. At a critical moment.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
I hate this. but I actually think that a higher percentage of people than one would expect will be in favor of this not realizing what is left out. appropriate exceptions…at first blush… and it’s over 3 months, and that is certainly within the time that a woman will know she is pregnant. but it leaves out issues with the fetus that can be found after his line in the obgyn office and many cannot get appropriate money for procedure in that time. what he/they should be doing is massive funding of contraception, urging the use of that, and funding early pregnancy ending measures. but, ya know, grandstanders gonna grandstand.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 3:11 pm:
-Unforced error. At a critical moment.-
Yep.
GOP after decision until now: This is a state issue. We won’t seek a federal ban.
Critics: Yes you will.
GOP: No we won’t.
Critics: Yes you will.
Sen. Graham: Yes we will.
I’m sure GOP incumbents would just looooove to have an on the record vote right about now.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 3:21 pm:
=I actually think that a higher percentage of people than one would expect will be in favor of this not realizing what is left out. appropriate exceptions=
The dems should be capable of effective messaging on these issues. And Graham’s comments will continually be cast as an “abortion ban.” Sure he can try to explain that it’s not really that, but the base won’t be happy with that explanation. This may be one of those rare instances where everyone feels alienated.
- Headlines - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 3:23 pm:
Lindsey Graham Seeks To Keep Dem Control of Senate in Place So GOP Will Still Have Excuses Why They Can Not Legislate
- SomeGuy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 3:24 pm:
So much for the overturning of Roe being all about states rights…
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 3:31 pm:
Sen. Graham has added more weight to the notion that unless GOPies make a credible pledge to oppose any national ban they should be opposed. Just say no to goofy smile LaHood and Ester.
- AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:21 pm:
Shumer should rush this through committee lightning speed & force a floor vote. Put the vote of all GOP Sens up for reelection on record. Does Graham not understand that the overturn of Roe is turning into a disaster for the GOP this fall? This is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen in a long time. Playing to the GOP base is going to cost the GOP votes in November. This will not win the indie vote nor lure more conservative Dems. A bonehead move.
- Suburban Mom - Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 11:02 pm:
Rich, could you add in posts talking about this that 20 weeks is when you get the anatomy scan, and when many serious congenital defects that are incompatible with life are discovered? It’s painfully obvious that even many of the pro-choice men in this debate aren’t particularly familiar with pregnancy. 20 weeks is the anatomy scan, and 20 weeks is when many of the most horrifying congenital defects are discovered that force pregnant people and their partners to make a wrenching, terrible decision.
A 15-week cut off is condemning some of these couples to the horror of continuing a non-viable pregnancy, and in some cases the fetus who is born to a cruel and painful death.
- illinifan - Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 8:47 am:
This desire to legislate health care choices, especially women’s choices, from a party that yells that they are the party opposing an intrusive and over regulating federal government is beyond my comprehension. We as a public would be better served by passing a law that says no one is allowed to interfere in an individuals health care decision.
- DMC - Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:25 pm:
It’s not pro life. It’s anti women’s healthcare.