Sen. Lindsey Graham Introduces Pro-Life Bill for the Seventh Consecutive Year

Sen. Lindsey Graham Introduces Pro-Life Bill for the Seventh Consecutive Year
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), in a file photo in Washington, on Oct. 30, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

NTD Photo

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, not one to give up on pro-life legislation, is introducing the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act this week for the seventh straight year.

The bill, which would ban abortions after 20 weeks, has failed since 2013 but Graham seems undeterred to try again, as CBS News reports. He announced Tuesday that he would relaunch the legislation.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership meeting
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual leadership meeting at The Venetian Las Vegas after an appearance by President Donald Trump in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 6, 2019. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Although Graham can count on a Republican majority in the Senate, he is unlikely to find enough pro-life Democrats to reach the 60 votes he needs to avoid a filibuster. He faces even steeper odds in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives that is actively promoting pro-abortion “reproductive rights” legislation.

Graham, who is also the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters Tuesday that he believes the time will come for his bill, which considers the possibility that a fetus can experience pain at 20 weeks.

“I think science is on our side,” Graham said. For those who doubt the fetus can feel pain, the senator reminded the assembled media that when surgeons operate on a fetus, anesthesia is used. He also suggested he could find some bipartisan support for his bill from Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who often supports pro-life initiatives and applauded President Donald Trump during the State of the Union Address when the president excoriated late-term abortion.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) watches President Donald Trump's State of the Union
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) watches President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, on Feb. 5, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

But Graham is philosophical.

“I’m not under any illusion here, getting 60 votes will be difficult any time soon. But this is a journey worth taking,” Graham told reporters.

By David Krayden

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments