Republican Graham introduces bill that would restrict abortions nationwide

Senate Republicans led by Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced federal anti-abortion legislation on Tuesday.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act prohibits abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and provides some exceptions in cases of rape or to protect the life of the pregnant person.

Why it matters: Abortion is a top issue for registered voters, according to the latest POLITICO-Harvard poll, and with just two months to the midterm elections, both Republicans and Democrats are working to show it is the other party that has the extreme view.

Graham said the bill will help his party in the midterms, and said on Fox News that it represents a viable “alternative to the very radical position by Democratic senators.”

Meanwhile, Democrats said Graham’s move belies the GOP argument that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would return power to the states on the procedure. Instead, they said Republicans are eager to pass a national law outlawing abortion.

“Proposals like the one today send a clear message from MAGA Republicans to women across the country: your body, our choice,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. “And let me add this: Republicans are twisting themselves into pretzels trying to explain why they want nationwide abortion bans when they said they’d leave it up to the states.”

Schumer’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether he’d bring Graham’s legislation to the floor for a vote.

Around the country: Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe in June, abortion has become prohibited starting at conception, with limited exceptions, in a dozen states. Two more states prohibit abortion after the detection of fetal cardiac activity, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. Indiana’s law, which bans abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the pregnant person, takes effect Thursday. Indiana is the only state that has passed significant new restrictions since Roe fell, though bills are still being debated in South Carolina and West Virginia.