Full version of the Senate bill.

Full version of the House bill.

The Bill

Bill Status

• House and Senate: Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• In overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion and moved the decision to states. This GOP bill would ban abortions nationwide, regardless of state laws.
• The “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act” -  introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and co-sponsored by more than 100 House republicans - will ban abortions, in every state, after 15 weeks.

What's in the bill?

ALLOW STRICTER STATE BANS, CRIMINALIZE LEGAL ABORTIONS

• The bill would leave in place state bans that are more restrictive but outlaw any state-level ban that allows abortion after 15 weeks.

• There would be rare exceptions for rape, incest, or when the pregnancy puts the woman’s life at risk.
• Doctors will be tasked with filling out extensive documentation should they perform a post-15-week abortion.

PENALTIES FOR DOCTORS

• Physicians and nurses who aid a woman in getting an abortion will be subject to a fine, 5 years of prison, or both.

• A woman who undergoes a "prohibited abortion" would not be prosecuted.

• The bill makes no mention of an exception for fetal abnormalities.
• A variety of the most common genetic disorders and fetal deformities cannot be safely tested for until at least 15 weeks, and often only past 20 weeks

BIRTH CONTROL BANS ON THE HORIZON

• Republican lawmakers in Texas, Idaho, Missouri, Louisiana, South Dakota, and other Red states have either announced bans, proposed bans, or promised crackdowns on birth control, including Plan B and IUDs.

Argument in Favor

• Advocates claim that a 15-week-old fetus has sufficient nerve to feel pain and that this renders the operation unethical.  (Note: There is no scientific consensus on whether - or when - a fetus can feel pain.)
• Supporters also point to the invasive nature of second-trimester abortions, and the risk that they pose for women.
• On a broader level, supporters believe it is in the best social and political interest of the country to have a consistent, comprehensive federal abortion ban.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC):

“I look forward to the debate. I look forward to the vote. If we take back the house and the Senate I can assure you, we'll have a vote on our bill. If the Democrats are in charge, I don't know if we'll ever have a vote on our bill.”

Argument Opposed

• Critics consider this bill to be one more step towards policing and controlling women’s bodies & reproductive rights, which are ultimately human rights. 
• Opponents point to the lack of medical consensus about when a fetus feels pain, arguing 15 weeks is an arbitrary cutoff point. 
• The lack of exceptions for fetal abnormalities raises issues in a country that is experiencing older birthrates across every demographic except Native Americans. This severely limits the options for older women and will lead to an increase in potentially risky and expensive treatments abroad.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA):

"There are those in the [GOP] that think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before... But we are united in our support for women's right to choose.”

President Joe Biden:

“[I]f you give me two more senators in the United States Senate, I promise you, I promise you, we’re going to codify Roe and once again make Roe the law of the land.”

DEMAND YOUR REPS TAKE ACTION ON ABORTION NOW.

-Josh Herman & Emma Kansiz