On Tuesday (September 13), Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) introduced a bill that would implement a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks.
The bill comes three months after a majority Supreme Court ruled to overturn the 1973 Roe V Wade precedent, which gave abortion federal protections.
In a press conference, the bill was introduced where Graham said, there should be a law at the federal level that no abortion demand be accepted except in cases of rape and incest, or to save the mother’s life.
The proposal also comes as voters prepare to head to the ballots in two months, where abortion is likely to feature prominently in their decision, especially for voters in battleground states. Some of these state’s voters vehemently oppose any restrictions on abortions while others — a conservative base — have been calling for legislation acting on the Supreme Court decision.
Acknowledging the growing backlash surrounding an abortion ban, Graham indicated that an outright ban wouldn’t be appealing to most mainstream voters.
Graham stated, “We’re trying to take a position we think will rally the country to be more sympathetic to an unborn child.”
The law, however, would not replace stricter state bans but would be implemented in typically blue states with lax laws.
The proposed bill includes exclusions for incest, rape, and saving the mother’s life in cases where the fetus poses a health risk. The bill also includes punishment for abortion providers that could also see abortion providers sentenced to up to five years in jail.
Explaining his decision, Graham continued, “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,” adding, “I have chosen to speak.”
