Posted on 05/08/2022 12:31:13 AM PDT by Morgana
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in an interview with USA Today a national abortion ban is “possible” if Roe v. Wade gets overturned this summer.
“If the leaked opinion became the final opinion, legislative bodies — not only at the state level but at the federal level — certainly could legislate in that area,” McConnell told USA Today when asked if a national abortion ban is “worthy of debate.”
“And if this were the final decision, that was the point that it should be resolved one way or another in the legislative process. So yeah, it’s possible,” he concluded.
His comment comes after Politico published a draft majority opinion penned by conservative Justice Samuel Alito indicating that the 1973 landmark decision Roe v. Wade would be overturned. The decision deemed a woman’s right to abortion was constitutional.
The minority leader has appeared cautious discussing whether Republicans would pass legislation to ban abortion, should they win the Senate in the 2022 midterms.
Many of McConnell’s GOP colleagues have slammed the unprecedented leak itself, and called for consequences to be handed down to the culprit.
McConnell also told the outlet Republicans’ position on abortion is clear.
“With regard to the abortion issue, I think it’s pretty clear where Senate Republicans stand,” McConnell said. “And if and when the court makes a final decision, I expect everybody will be more definitive. But I don’t think it’s much secret where senator Republicans stand on that issue.”
Following Politico’s report, Democrats expressed outrage at the potential for Roe v. Wade to be overturned.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered a blistering rebuke on Monday night following news of the leaked draft.
“The Republican-appointed Justices’ reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as 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 is almost guaranteed to fall short because the measure doesn’t have the 60 votes needed to advance. However, Democrats are eager to get Republicans’ votes on the record ahead of the 2022 midterms.
“A vote on this legislation is not an abstract exercise. This is as urgent and real as it gets. We’ll vote to protect a women’s right to choose,” Schumer said.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee cited McConnell’s interview with USA Today to gin up support for Democrats.
“Mitch McConnell confirmed what voters have long known: Republicans will use every tool they can, from the courts to Congress, to make abortion illegal everywhere and strip away a woman’s right to make our own decisions. For voters, the stakes of protecting and expanding our Democratic Senate majority in 2022 have never been higher.”
Is he trying to throw the mid terms to the demon-rats?
Just stirring up the rabble-rousers.
I hate to tell you this Mitch, but abortion laws should be left up to the various states.
Remember? Tenth Amendment? States’ Rights?
You and your almighty federal government should for once simply SHUT UP!
“Turtle rally stepped in it, giving the rats the perfect sound bite for 2022.”
Yep.
Don’t underestimate The Republican Party’s ability to f*ck things up
See #15.
Fanning the flames. If there was any doubt he’s part of the deep state, he just removed all doubt.
And that was no accident.
McConnell is a saboteur extraordinaire.
Acting like a total moron, still. This cowardly man is also an idiot.
Mitch is just trying to stir up the Left so he can have his own orgasms watching the violence w/o dirtying his hands (so to speak) with it.
Yep...almost by design ;p
Mitch is assisting the Democrats, again.
Yes.
What part of SCOTUS overturning a national law on abortion does Mitch not understand? Its a states issue not a federal issue. That’s what overturning Roe v Wade means. In Georgia we will probably ban it. Ny, CA, WA, etc won’t.
At first I couldn't believe the turtle would say something that stupid. Then, I remembered that he's basically a democrat ally.
Good description.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.