Republicans push anti-abortion measures with new majority

it was *** victory for abortion rights activists in the five states where abortion related questions were formally on the ballot in the 2022 midterm elections, voters in California michigan and Vermont voted to add the right to an abortion in their state constitutions, voters in Montana and Kentucky voted against propositions that would further restrict abortion rights. I think what we saw in the votes on the amendments or referendum proposals across the country was consistently that voters rejected greater restrictions and and voted for greater protection. It was especially *** triumph for abortion rights supporters in michigan with the reelection of Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Democratic Party taking control of both the state Senate and house there. In michigan, we saw definitely *** rejection of Republican politics and particularly the more extreme Republican positions in politics in that state. These results seem to reflect similar opinions of voters across the nation. According to an associated Press survey released after Election Day, about six and 10 voters say they are angry or dissatisfied by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Right to an abortion. While four and 10 voters were pleased. And so to the degree that we can say anything about how much abortion played out, certainly seemed to help Democrats push back against what was presumed to be *** potential red wave. The fight for abortion access is not over though we have to remember that abortion doesn't stop being an issue after the single cycle. Any change in who's in power in the state can have *** significant influence on whether or not that state upholds abortion rights or or restricts abortion rights, firmly anti abortion. Republican governors in Georgia florida and texas were re elected. But in states like pennsylvania Kansas and Wisconsin voters elected Democratic governors after the Supreme Court ruling, states like Wisconsin reverted back to their states abortion bans before roe v wade. But dr kristen liar, li *** practicing O B G Y N and Wisconsin resident says she feels hopeful after the state's Democratic governor Tony Evers and district attorney josh call were re elected. Those were two huge wins. Governor Evers has already proposed creating *** process to put the issue on *** statewide referendum vote for *** chance to repeal the state's 18 49 ban. Medicine has changed so much and this law clearly does not reflect the way that we practice now beyond the state level, politicians in both parties are pushing for federal legislation on abortion when I believe congress should codify roe once and for all. In September 2022, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham proposed *** federal abortion ban after 15 weeks, no abortion on demand except in cases of rape incest to save the life of the mother, which gained little traction even within his own party. President biden has made it clear he will push back, I will veto any attempt to pass *** national ban on abortion. Overall, it will take more than one election for major change, but the biggest takeaway from the midterm elections, according to one political scientist, don't underestimate the power of angry women, who are fearful that their rights are under threat and that that is *** powerful mobilize er.

House Republicans are moving toward early action on abortion with their new majority, voting on two measures Wednesday that make clear they want further restraints after the Supreme Court overruled the federal right to an abortion last year.The new GOP-led House is voting on one resolution to condemn attacks on anti-abortion facilities, including pregnancy crisis centers, and on legislation that would impose penalties if a doctor refused to care for an infant born alive after an abortion attempt.Neither is expected to pass the Democratic-led Senate, but Republicans say they are making good on promises to address the issue along with other legislative priorities in the first days in power."You don't have freedom, true liberty, unless government protects your most fundamental right, your right to live," said new House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who led debate on the measures.Even so, the two measures are far from a bold statement on abortion, which has proved politically tricky for them since the June Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade after almost 50 years and allowed states to enact near or total bans on abortion. While some Republicans have pushed to expand on the ruling with a national ban — or a compromise ban that would limit abortions after a certain point — many Republicans have rejected that option. And it has become clear that most Americans would oppose it.A July AP-NORC poll showed Republicans are largely opposed to allowing abortion "for any reason" and after 15 weeks into a pregnancy. According to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, a majority of voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases. That includes nearly 9 in 10 Democrats and about 4 in 10 Republicans.The national sentiment has made some Republicans wary of the party's traditional full-throated opposition to abortion rights.South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, who says she is opposed to abortion, said she believes the early push on the issue is misguided. She said she believes the majority of voters in her swing district opposed the Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe. "This is probably not the way to start off the week," Mace told MSNBC. Emboldened by opposition to the Supreme Court decision, Democrats enthusiastically opposed the two measures, predicting that Republicans were only laying the groundwork for a national ban.Republicans supporting the bill took pains not to connect it with overturning Roe."I want to be absolutely clear that this bill has nothing to do with the Supreme Court decision," said Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner, the Republican sponsor of the bill.Still, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, said, "The differences between our side of the aisle and their side of the aisle couldn't be any clearer."Democrats criticized the resolution condemning attacks on pro-life facilities as one-sided because it did not condemn similar — and long-standing — violence against abortion clinics. The resolution is "woefully incomplete," said New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.The Democrats argued that the legislation imposing new penalties on doctors is unnecessary because it is already illegal to kill an infant. It would create complicated new standards making it harder for health providers to do their jobs, they said."It is a mean-spirited solution in search of a problem," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif.Last summer, the Democratic-led House voted to restore abortion rights nationwide, but that legislation was blocked in the closely divided Senate. That bill would have expanded on the protections Roe had previously provided by banning what supporters say are medically unnecessary restrictions that block access to safe and accessible abortions.Though Democrats control the Senate, they would need nine GOP votes to bypass a filibuster and pass legislation on abortion. Only two Senate Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, have been supportive of abortion rights.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Americans elected Senate Democrats "to be a firewall" against what he said are Republicans' extreme views."Republicans are proving how dangerously out of touch they are with mainstream America," Schumer said.

WASHINGTON —

The new GOP-led House is voting on one resolution to condemn attacks on anti-abortion facilities, including pregnancy crisis centers, and on legislation that would impose penalties if a doctor refused to care for an infant born alive after an abortion attempt.

Neither is expected to pass the Democratic-led Senate, but Republicans say they are making good on promises to address the issue along with other legislative priorities in the first days in power.

"You don't have freedom, true liberty, unless government protects your most fundamental right, your right to live," said new House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who led debate on the measures.

Even so, the two measures are far from a bold statement on abortion, which has proved politically tricky for them since the June Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade after almost 50 years and allowed states to enact near or total bans on abortion. While some Republicans have pushed to expand on the ruling with a national ban — or a compromise ban that would limit abortions after a certain point — many Republicans have rejected that option. And it has become clear that most Americans would oppose it.

A July AP-NORC poll showed Republicans are largely opposed to allowing abortion "for any reason" and after 15 weeks into a pregnancy. According to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, a majority of voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases. That includes nearly 9 in 10 Democrats and about 4 in 10 Republicans.

The national sentiment has made some Republicans wary of the party's traditional full-throated opposition to abortion rights.

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, who says she is opposed to abortion, said she believes the early push on the issue is misguided. She said she believes the majority of voters in her swing district opposed the Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe.

"This is probably not the way to start off the week," Mace told MSNBC.

Emboldened by opposition to the Supreme Court decision, Democrats enthusiastically opposed the two measures, predicting that Republicans were only laying the groundwork for a national ban.

Republicans supporting the bill took pains not to connect it with overturning Roe.

"I want to be absolutely clear that this bill has nothing to do with the Supreme Court decision," said Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner, the Republican sponsor of the bill.

Still, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, said, "The differences between our side of the aisle and their side of the aisle couldn't be any clearer."

Democrats criticized the resolution condemning attacks on pro-life facilities as one-sided because it did not condemn similar — and long-standing — violence against abortion clinics. The resolution is "woefully incomplete," said New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.

The Democrats argued that the legislation imposing new penalties on doctors is unnecessary because it is already illegal to kill an infant. It would create complicated new standards making it harder for health providers to do their jobs, they said.

"It is a mean-spirited solution in search of a problem," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif.

Last summer, the Democratic-led House voted to restore abortion rights nationwide, but that legislation was blocked in the closely divided Senate. That bill would have expanded on the protections Roe had previously provided by banning what supporters say are medically unnecessary restrictions that block access to safe and accessible abortions.

Though Democrats control the Senate, they would need nine GOP votes to bypass a filibuster and pass legislation on abortion. Only two Senate Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, have been supportive of abortion rights.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Americans elected Senate Democrats "to be a firewall" against what he said are Republicans' extreme views.

"Republicans are proving how dangerously out of touch they are with mainstream America," Schumer said.

��vlog