Catholics to US Senators: Do Not Support Harsh Abortion Ban

Tomorrow, Sen. Lindsey Graham plans to introduce a harsh ban on abortion—based on arbitrary gestational limits and junk science—that would put women’s health and rights at risk. It’s so extreme that back in January, when a similar bill was presented in the House of Representatives, the women of the Republican Party told House leaders that the bill was too extreme.

As Catholics, we have been standing up to this kind of extremism across the United States and around the world. In a full-page advertisement in Politico earlier this year, we lifted up one woman’s story to illustrate the harm of such restrictive legislation. Twenty-three weeks into her pregnancy, Alicia followed her conscience and decided that an abortion was the best choice for her situation. She is just one of the majority of Catholics who believe that all women should have the right to choose what is best for themselves and their families, particularly when it comes to reproductive health.

“It’s a disgrace that our policymakers are playing politics with women’s health and lives,” said Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice. “Both Republicans and Democrats alike would do well to remember that Catholic voters support healthcare that is both comprehensive and accessible to those who need it.

“This bill adds the unnecessary pressure of ticking clocks and expiring time limits. As Catholics, we believe it is more important that a woman make the right decision for herself and her family than she make a hasty one. Individuals must have the right to follow their own beliefs and practices without having others’ beliefs forced upon them—no matter where they work, how they receive their healthcare or how much money have in their pockets.

“Similar bans passed at the state level are still making their way through the courts—and are likely to be deemed unconstitutional for their clear attempt to challenge Roe v. Wade, which provided women with the right to an abortion.

“I urge members of the Senate not to support this dangerous bill, which would waste the Senate’s time on something that will likely be deemed unconstitutional.”

To arrange an interview with Jon O’Brien, please contact Claire S. Gould at 202-986-6093 or cgould[at]catholicsforchoice[dot]org.

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