Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is continuing to apply pressure on his Republican colleagues ahead of the crucial November elections, preparing for a vote next month to enshrine Roe v. Wade and abortion rights into law.
“A short time ago, I took the initial steps to put on the legislative calendar the Women’s Reproductive Freedom Act, which Senator Murray and I introduced and which has been co-sponsored by every female senator on our side,” Schumer said in floor remarks, referring to Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. “This bill seeks to affirm a woman’s fundamental right to choose and enshrine the protections of Roe v. Wade into law, something that most Americans want.”
The bill is set to face a formal test vote as early as early July, with Republicans expected to veto the measure from reaching 60 votes to clear procedural hurdles, as they have with two previous reproductive bills introduced by Democrats.
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Schumer said he plans to hold a vote on codifying Roe v. Wade. (Getty Images)
Last month, Governor Schumer held two votes on birth control and in vitro fertilization (IVF), both of which were criticized by Republicans for having far-reaching implications.
“You can tell this is the season for politics by what Democrats and the Senate are spending their time and energy on, or not spending it on,” said Senate Minority Whip John Thune of the Scottish Civil Rights Association. “Clearly the goal of Senate Democrats and Senator Schumer is to cast a show vote this summer.”
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Toon criticised so-called “sham voting”. (Eric Li/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“As November rapidly approaches, Republicans continue to show the American people where they really stand: on the side of MAGA extremists, not the majority of the American people,” Schumer said in a floor speech, referring to the rapidly approaching congressional elections. “And that’s exactly what Republican senators and representatives are doing.”
Roe v. Wade and the upcoming vote to enshrine abortion rights into law were sharply condemned by the peak group of the pro-life movement, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
“This radical resolution has nothing to do with helping women. It says nothing about giving women the resources and support they deserve. Instead, it simply doubles down on the Democrats’ radical agenda to allow abortion up to three months into pregnancy across America,” President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.
Democrats are looking to repeal the federal provision, which could affect mail-in abortions.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, slammed the bill. (Drew Ungerer/Getty Images)
A Fox News poll conducted in May found that abortion was the most “uncompromising” issue among registered voters overall and among Democrats. It was also the top issue for suburban women, with 24% of women designating it as such. Abortion was also the top issue among black voters (17%), those with college degrees (17%), and voters under 30 (16%).
The poll also found that voters trust President Biden more than former President Trump on the issue of abortion: 52% of registered voters trust Biden to do a better job on the issue, compared with 44% for Trump.
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A rally for abortion rights at the Washington Monument before the March on the U.S. Supreme Court on May 14, 2022. (Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images)
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The abortion issue is seen as one of the Republican Party’s biggest weaknesses heading into the November elections. Trump has repeatedly said abortion should be legal in every state, and Republican candidates in battleground states and districts tend to follow his stance.
With that in mind, Democrats are stepping up their efforts on the abortion issue, trying to keep the issue in the public eye wherever possible, as well as keeping Republicans on record voting against it, as Schumer did.
