What They’re Saying: Republicans’ “Nationwide Abortion Ban” Puts GOP Senate Candidates “On The Spot — And On The Defensive”

NBC News: “[Republicans’] plan puts them on the spot — and on the defensive.”
POLITICO: “The bill could cause especially acute problems for the party’s Senate hopefuls.”
AP: “Reaction was swift, fierce and unwavering from Democrats”

A wave of news coverage is highlighting how GOP Senate candidates were immediately put “on the spot — and on the defensive” as voters were reminded that “their choice in November is between supporting a Democratic majority that wants to preserve abortion access and handing control of Congress to Republicans who are seeking to ban the procedure.”

See for yourself:

• NBC News: ‘Bad idea:’ Republicans pan Lindsey Graham’s 15-week abortion ban. “Instead of creating a consensus point for GOP candidates, Graham’s plan puts them on the spot — and on the defensive… GOP strategists said.”

• POLITICO: Graham’s abortion ban stuns Senate GOP. “The bill could cause especially acute problems for the party’s Senate hopefuls.”

• The New York Times: Graham Proposes 15-Week Abortion Ban, Splitting Republicans. “It also accomplished something that many Republicans have sought to avoid, highlighting for voters that their choice in November is between supporting a Democratic majority that wants to preserve abortion access and handing control of Congress to Republicans who are seeking to ban the procedure.”

• Associated Press: GOP’s Graham unveils nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks. “Reaction was swift, fierce and unwavering from Democrats who viewed Graham’s legislation as an extreme example of the far-right’s hold on the GOP, and as a political gift of self-inflicted pain for Republican candidates now having to answer questions about an abortion ban heading toward the midterm elections.”

• CNN: Graham proposes 15-week abortion bill, dividing Republicans ahead of midterm elections. “Senate Democratic candidates immediately seized on Graham’s bill. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who’s running against Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz, asked his opponent if he would support the legislation. He and other candidates including Rep. Val Demings in Florida and New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan quickly touted their own pro-abortion rights view.”

• CBS News: GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham proposes nationwide 15-week abortion ban. “Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said Graham’s legislation will motivate voters to support Democrats in the midterm elections. ‘Republicans’ national abortion ban will be on the ballot, in every Senate race,’ he said in a statement. ‘The GOP has shown, once again, the threat they pose to a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions — and voters will make their voices heard by standing with Senate Democrats in November.’”

• Washington Post: Graham introduces bill to ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks. “Democrats swiftly responded to reports of Graham’s efforts with anger, and vowed that the measure would go nowhere. ‘I will block any efforts in the Senate to advance a nationwide abortion ban — full stop,’ tweeted Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), who is locked in a tough reelection bid. ‘We don’t need any more male politicians telling women what we can and can’t do with our own bodies.’

• The Daily Beast: Democrats Waste No Time Using Graham’s 15-Week Abortion Ban to Slam GOP. “For months Democrats have been warning of the very possibility Graham is now making a reality: Republicans pushing for a national abortion ban taking away states’ rights. With Graham’s latest version of the bill introduced, just weeks before an election no less, Democrats no longer have to speak in hypotheticals.”

• NPR: GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham introduces 15-week abortion ban in the Senate. “Democrats have warned for months that Republicans would move ahead with a federal abortion ban if they win back control in Washington–a message that has helped drive an increase in voter registration among women in several states.”

• CNBC: Sen. Lindsey Graham introduces bill to ban most abortions nationwide after 15 weeks. “Democratic candidates, such as Pennsylvania Senate nominee John Fetterman, have leaned into the issue. ‘Dr. Oz has made it *very* clear that he wants to take away women’s reproductive freedom,’ Fetterman tweeted Tuesday about his Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz. ‘With the GOP introducing a national abortion ban, it’s now more important than ever that we stop him in November.’”

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