Page 15 - HOH

A4 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 26 February 2020

Dems thwart Senate Republicans

on 2 abortion-related bills

Mitch McConnell accused said the GOP bills would, in she said. Sen. Ben Sasse,
Democrats of bowing to effect, "criminalize" wom- R-Neb., said the bill he
"the radical demands of en's reproductive care and sponsored was not about
the far left" to "drown out intimidate health care pro- limiting access to abortion
common sense" and the viders. at all. Instead, the bill is in-
views of millions of Ameri- "Putting these already de- tended to make sure that
cans. feated bills up for a show every newborn baby "has a
"It almost defies belief that vote is not a good faith at- fighting chance — whether
an entire political party tempt to improve the lives she's born in a labor and
could find cause to object of ... American women,'' delivery ward or whether
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listens to this basic protection for the New York Democrat she's born in an abortion
during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, babies,'' the Kentucky Re- said. "Every single Senate clinic."
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020.
Associated Press publican said. Republican knows that Sasse's bill would make it
Senate Democratic Leader these bills cannot and will a crime to deny care to
By MATTHEW DALY alive during abortions. Chuck Schumer blasted not pass. But they're put- a baby that's survived an
Associated Press The measures have been McConnell for taking up ting them on the floor any- abortion. "Are we a coun-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen- defeated multiple times the Senate's time on what way to pander to the hard try that protects babies
ate Democrats on Tuesday in recent years, but Sen- he called "fake, dishonest right. And to cover up the that are alive, born outside
blocked a pair of Repub- ate Republicans pushed and extreme legislation fact that they won't pro- the womb after having
lican bills that would ban for renewed votes to allow that has nothing to do with vide good health care for survived a botched abor-
most late-term abortions GOP lawmakers to make improving the lives of ordi- women.'' Senators voted tion?'' he asked.
and threaten prison for an election-year appeal to nary Americans.'' 56-41 for the born-alive bill, A separate bill sponsored
doctors who don't try sav- conservative voters. Noting that existing laws and 53-44 for a separate by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-
ing the life of infants born Senate Majority Leader protect infants, Schumer measure banning most S.C., would essentially ban
abortions after 20 weeks. abortion after 20 weeks,
Both tallies were short of the point at which many
the 60 votes needed to scientists say an unborn
end Democratic delaying child can feel pain.
tactics and force a Sen- Graham said he believe
ate vote. Democratic Sens. a majority of Americans
Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, oppose allowing abortion
Doug Jones of Alabama in the fifth month of preg-
and Joe Manchin from nancy. The United States
West Virginia were the only is currently one of seven
lawmakers to cross party countries in the world that
lines on the born-alive bill. permit elective abortion af-
Jones and GOP Sens. Su- ter 20 weeks.
san Collins of Maine and "The United States should
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska not be in that club,'' Gra-
opposed the late-term ham said.
abortion ban. The two votes marked the
Three senators seeking the latest instance in which Re-
Democratic nomination for publicans have tried to go
president — Bernie Sanders on offense on the issue of
of Vermont, Elizabeth War- abortion and put Demo-
ren of Massachusetts and cratic lawmakers who sup-
Amy Klobuchar of Minne- port abortion rights in an
sota - did not cast votes. uncomfortable position.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., "It's hard to believe that, in
said the Senate debate 21st century America, the
was not about passing laws life of a baby more than
or even health care. "It is halfway through preg-
really about Republicans' nancy is considered up
crass political calculation for debate, but it's true,''
that they can fire up their said Marjorie Dannenfelser,
far-right base with an all- president of the Susan B.
out war against the con- Anthony List, a group that
stitutionally protected right works to elect anti-abortion
to safe, legal abortion,'' candidates.q