The debate on abortion access is heating up on the House and Senate floors as Democrats elevate pressure on Republicans.
Democrats have introduced bills addressing abortion on Capitol Hill, where it’s unlikely to achieve the votes needed to pass the filibuster.
But, pundits believe the bills aren’t aimed at getting bipartisan support for reproductive rights; rather, they’re an attempt to get Republicans on record opposing abortion access — a move that Democrats hope will make Republicans appear to be willing to go to extreme lengths to prevent abortions.
Last week the first of such bills was introduced by Democrats, marking the first time lawmakers butted heads on abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
But Republicans, aware of Dems’ strategy, have accused the Party of fear-mongering with their claims that the GOP will attempt to enact a nationwide abortion ban and prevent access to contraception.
On Friday (July 15), a bill to codify Roe v. Wade was passed in the House. The Women’s Health Protection Act will give abortion federal protection and was passed almost entirely on party lines, with 219 in favor of the bill and 209 opposing the bill.
Democratic Congressman Henry Cueller (Texas) was the only Democrat to vote against the bill, while two Republicans did not vote on the bill.
Republicans also argued during Friday’s debate that the legislation Democrats were introducing was a form of government overreach.
Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington) also noted that the bill — which Republicans refer to as the “abortion on demand until birth act” — would infringe on state laws protecting women from coercion to terminate their pregnancies, while claiming it would force physicians to perform abortions.
Friday also saw the House pass a bill that would protect women crossing state lines to get an abortion. The bill passed 223-205, with Republican Reps. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA.), and Fred Upton (Mich.) joining Democrats.
