InfoSearched
Published -
- February 26, 2020
- 8:11 pm
Senate Democrats blocked two anti-abortion bills that were not expected to pass.
CBS News reporter Kate Smith explains why Majority Leader Mitch McConnell forced votes in a likely effort to weaponize the issue ahead of 2020 elections.
Why have abortion rights advocates celebrated the Senate’s decision to reject the anti-abortion bills?
On Tuesday, September 10th, the United States Senate blocked two anti-abortion bills amid an intensifying nationwide debate over reproductive rights. The first bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, sought to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, with exceptions for cases where the mother’s life is in danger or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. The second bill, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, aimed to require doctors to provide medical care for infants who survive abortion procedures.
Both bills had already passed through the Republican-controlled House of Representatives earlier this year, but were ultimately defeated in the Senate. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act fell short of the necessary 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster, while the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act was blocked by a vote of 56-41.
The Senate’s decision to reject these bills has been met with relief from abortion rights advocates, who argue that the proposed legislation would have placed undue burdens on women seeking reproductive health services. However, opponents of abortion rights have expressed disappointment and frustration, claiming that the legislation would have protected the lives of unborn children and infants.
The debate over abortion rights has become increasingly heated in recent years, with several states passing restrictive legislation aimed at limiting access to abortion services. Earlier this year, Alabama passed a near-total ban on abortion, with exceptions only for cases where the mother’s life is in danger. Meanwhile, other states such as Georgia, Louisiana, and Missouri have also passed laws placing significant restrictions on abortion services.
The Senate’s decision to block the anti-abortion bills highlights the deep polarization and division that exists around issues of reproductive rights in the United States. While advocates for abortion rights celebrate the decision as a victory for women’s health and autonomy, those who oppose abortion rights are likely to continue their efforts to restrict access to these services in the future.
As the debate over abortion rights continues to rage on, it is clear that this is a highly contentious and emotionally charged issue for many Americans. While the Senate’s decision to block these anti-abortion bills may be seen as a temporary victory for abortion rights advocates, it is likely that the battle over reproductive rights will continue to play out in the months and years to come.
