Democrats’ Abortion Rights Bill Fails To Pass Senate
As anticipated, Senate Republicans blocked legislation, in a 46-48 vote, backed by Democrats that would have codified abortion rights into federal law ahead of an expected Supreme Court decision that could limit access to the procedure.
Politico:
Democrats’ Signature Abortion Rights Bill Falls Short As SCOTUS Ruling Looms
The Senate failed to advance the Women’s Health Protection Act on Monday night — leaving Democratic advocates and lawmakers wondering what else, if anything, the party can do to protect abortion rights as they come under attack from federal courts and Republican-led states. The 46-48 vote comes just a few months before the Supreme Court is to rule on half-century old protections for the procedure and before the midterm elections, when many expect Democrats to lose control of one or both chambers of Congress. (Ollstein, 2/28)
CNN:
Senate Republicans Block Bill That Would Preserve The Right To Abortion
The bill, dubbed the Women's Health Protection Act, aimed to "protect a person's ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider's ability to provide abortion services." The House had passed the legislation in a nearly party-line vote in late September -- even though the bill was not expected to have the necessary votes to pass the 50-50 Senate, as legislation in the chamber requires Republicans to join Democrats to get at least 60 votes to break a filibuster. The bill's failure to advance in the Senate comes as Republican-led states have introduced and advanced bills across the nation that make it harder for women to access abortions and threaten health-care providers who perform the procedure. (Mizelle, Zaslav and Barrett, 2/28)
The New York Times:
Republicans Block Abortion Rights Measure In Senate
Lawmakers said it was the first time that the Senate had voted on a separate bill to enact the constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade into law. The outcome was anticipated, but Democrats were determined to hold the vote as members of both parties draw battle lines over what is expected to be a major election-year issue. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court is set to rule later this year on a case that could undermine or overturn the landmark abortion decision. “We want Americans to know where their legislators stand on this important issue,” said Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the No. 3 Democrat and a leading backer of the abortion rights bill. (Hulse, 2/28)
Dallas Morning News:
Women’s Health Protection Act, Pushed In Response To Texas’ New Abortion Law, Fails In U.S. Senate
Though the bill wouldn’t legalize abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, it would prohibit states from enacting restrictions — such as waiting periods and ultrasound requirements — on abortions before the fetus is viable outside the womb and in post-viability cases when the patient’s life or health is at risk. “This is by far the most extreme pro-abortion bill that has ever been put in front of Congress, ever,” Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said on the Senate floor. (Caldwell, 3/1)
In related news about the abortion fight —
Louisville Courier Journal:
Planned Parenthood CEO Vows To Keep Up Fight For Abortion Rights
Battling for abortion rights might seem a tough slog, especially in state like Kentucky where lawmakers have enacted multiple restrictions in recent years, including a "trigger law" to outlaw abortion should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. But Rebecca Gibron, interim CEO of a six-state Planned Parenthood group that includes Kentucky, said her organization will keep fighting for reproductive rights even as she predicts the Supreme Court will overturn the 1973 landmark case that legalized abortion nationwide. (Yetter, 2/28)
AP:
Noem's Abortion Pill Limit Headed To South Dakota Senate
South Dakota Republican senators on Monday advanced a proposal from Gov. Kristi Noem that aims to make the state one of the hardest places to get abortion pills, though its actual enactment depends on a federal court ruling. Every Republican on the Senate Health and Human Services committee voted to advance the bill for a vote in the full chamber, even as one GOP lawmaker cautioned the Legislature on getting involved in the practice of medicine. The lone Democrat on the committee opposed it. (Groves, 2/28)
The Texas Tribune:
Six Months In, “No End In Sight” For Texas’ New Abortion Law
When Texas’ restrictive new abortion law went into effect Sept. 1, clinics, advocates and even some who supported the legislation thought it might quickly be blocked by the courts. Six months later, the law is still standing. The law, passed as Senate Bill 8, prohibits abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. While other states have tried and failed to ban abortions this early in pregnancy, Texas’ law relied on a unique private enforcement mechanism that made it extremely difficult to challenge in court. The law empowers private citizens to sue anyone who “aids or abets” a prohibited abortion. Those who sue could be awarded at least $10,000 if they win. Since it isn’t enforced by state officials, the law is difficult to challenge on constitutional grounds. (Klibanoff, 3/1)
