Lindsay Graham introduces nationwide 15-week abortion ban
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a Federal nationwide abortion ban on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through both parties and igniting fresh debate on how Republicans are going to handle the issue on the campaign trail, weeks before the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Just as many Republicans are attempting to scrub their sites of anti-abortion rhetoric – in acknowledgement of how unpopular abortion bans are with their consitutents – Graham is trying to center it in the election.
Graham’s own Party leaders did not immediately embrace his bill, which would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy across the United States, including in states like New York and California, with rare exceptions. In the Democratic-held Congress, it has no chance of becoming law, however all of that would change should Republicans win the House and Senate in the midterm, giving the GOP the votes to pass it.
Of the bill, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “The nationwide abortion ban proposal put forth today is the latest, clearest signal of extreme MAGA Republicans’ intent to criminalize women’s health freedom in all 50 states and arrest doctors for providing basic care. Make no mistake: if Republicans get the chance, they will work to pass laws even more draconian than this bill – just like the bans they have enacted in states like Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.”
Read more here: Associated Press
Near-total abortion ban with narrow exceptions takes effect in Indiana
A sweeping abortion ban went into effect in Indiana on Thursday, containing only extremely narrow exceptions for medical emergencies, rape and incest and making it the latest state to largely outlaw the procedure in the US.
The ban is being challenged in court by the ACLU and several abortion care providers, with hearings set to start on 19 September.
The law effectively wipes out abortion access for 1.5 million Indianans of reproductive age, and will have far-reaching consequences as Indiana had become a safe haven for those seeking abortion in other nearby states.
Now, residents in places like Ohio, Wisconsin and Kentucky, which have total or near-total abortion bans in place, will have to travel hundreds of miles to neighboring Illinois for the procedure.
Read more here: Guardian
West Virginia lawmakers pass near-total ban on abortion
West Virginia legislators approved a bill that bans nearly all abortions in the state, sending it to Gov. Jim Justice’s desk for approval before it becomes law.
Known as HB 302, the bill approved by state legislators Tuesday prohibits the procedure at virtually every stage of pregnancy.
However, there are exceptions if the mother’s life is in danger, if the fetus is “non-medically viable” or for an ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus. Psychological or emotional conditions are excluded, according to the bill.
Physicians who perform unlawful abortions could lose their license to practice medicine and face criminal charges.
Read more here: ABC News
Judge blocks Ohio’s six-week abortion ban for 14 days
A judge on Wednesday temporarily paused Ohio’s six-week abortion ban that went into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins issued a temporary restraining order that will stop the law’s implementation for 14 days, with pro-abortion activists now asking the judge to issue a preliminary injunction that would further block the law for the duration of the case.
“No great stretch is required to find that Ohio law recognizes a fundamental right to privacy, procreation, bodily integrity and freedom of choice in health care decision making,” Jenkins wrote in the ruling.
Read more here: The Hill
Louisiana woman who was denied an abortion for a fetus without a skull gets procedure in New York
A woman who was denied an abortion for a fetus without a skull at a Louisiana hospital, renewing anger among many over the state’s strict abortion ban, traveled to New York and got the procedure legally there.
Nancy Davis, 36, had her pregnancy terminated Sept. 1 after traveling 1,400 miles to a Manhattan clinic to get the abortion, her brother-in-law, East Baton Rouge Metro Council member Lamont Cole, confirmed,
Louisiana’s law, which was updated by legislators and Gov. John Bel Edwards this year, bans abortions at zero weeks of pregnancy, with only limited exceptions for life of the pregnant woman or medically futile pregnancies.
Read more here: The Advocate
Watch the brand new Battleground trailer
Today is a HUGE day – the trailer for Battleground has dropped! There’s only three weeks to go until the urgent and timely film arrives in theaters on October 7th, so take a seat and press play on a sneak preview of what to expect. As the nation faces the end of Roe, the film depicts those on the front lines of the fierce fight to maintain access. Watch the trailer now.
Battleground screening plus panel discussion in D.C.
Attendees at a preview screening of Battleground yesterday in Washington D.C. were treated to an exclusive post-screening discussion. Director Cynthia Lowen was joined by Dina Montemaran, Research Director at NARAL Pro-Choice America plus a video greeting from Representatives Barbara Boxer and Diana DeGette, co chairs of the House Pro-Choice Caucus. The room was buzzing with enlightening, passionate conversations from changemakers across DC.
Watch this space to view exclusive clips from the panelist discussion.
‘Battleground’ at Milwaukee Film Festival
Battleground is screening tonight at the Milwaukee Film Festival. The festival screening is sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Aboriotns have been halted in the state after the fall of Roe when a law on the books from 1849 went into effect, and this will be on the ballot in the state this fall.
