Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a interview with USA Today A national abortion ban is “possible” if Roe v. Wade is canceled this summer.
“If the leaked opinion becomes the final opinion, legislative bodies, not just at the state level but at the federal level, could certainly legislate in that area,” McConnell told USA Today when asked if a national abortion ban is “worthy of discussion”. ”
“And if this was the final decision, that was the point that needed to be resolved one way or another in the legislative process. So yes, it is possible,” he concluded.
His comment comes after Politico published a draft majority opinion written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito stating that the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade would be revoked. The decision considered a woman’s right to abortion to be constitutional.
The minority leader has been cautious in discussing whether Republicans would pass legislation to ban abortion, should they win the Senate in the 2022 midterm elections.
Many of McConnell’s Republican colleagues have criticized the unprecedented leak and called for consequences to be handed down to the culprit.
McConnell also told the outlet that the Republicans’ position on abortion is clear.
“On the abortion issue, I think it’s pretty clear where the Republicans stand in the Senate,” McConnell said. “And when the court makes a final decision, I hope everyone will be more final. But I don’t think it’s a big secret where Republican senators stand on that issue.”
Following the Politico report, Democrats expressed outrage at the prospect of Roe v. Wade.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) delivered a scathing rebuke Monday night following news of the leak of the eraser.
“The reported votes of the Republican-appointed justices to overturn Roe v. Wade would be considered an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history,” the two said in a statement.
Schumer said later this week that he would force a vote next week to codify Roe v. Wade. The vote will almost certainly fall short because the measure does not have the 60 votes needed to move forward. However, the Democrats are eager to get the votes of the Republicans before the 2022 midterm elections.
“Voting on this legislation is not an abstract exercise. This is as urgent and real as it sounds. We will vote to protect women’s right to choose,” Schumer said.
The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee cited McConnell’s interview with USA Today to build support for Democrats.
“Mitch McConnell confirmed what voters have known for a long time: Republicans will use every tool they can, from the courts to Congress, to outlaw abortion everywhere and take away a woman’s right to make her own decisions. For voters, the stakes of protecting and expanding our Democratic majority in the Senate in 2022 have never been higher.”
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Reference-news.yahoo.com