Lindsey Graham isn’t letting things like common decency and public opinion affect his quest to roll back abortion rights even further. But he’s going to have to get used to interactions like the one he just had with a protester.
The anti-LGBTQ senator has launched a proposal for a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, vowing to take up the issue in Congress if Republicans gain control of the House and Senate in November. If that’s not an advertisement to vote Democrat, we don’t know what is.
Related: Tucker Carlson defends Texas abortion ban by attacking trans people in new low
During a recent event, protesters confronted Graham over the plan. Ashley Beasley was among them; she explained that she chose to give birth after doctors told her during her 16th week of pregnancy that her baby would not survive.
Her son died eight days after being born, but she says it was vitally important that it was her choice to give birth.
Speaking directly to Graham, she said: “We were allowed to make that choice for him.”
Related: Lindsey Graham has outburst on senate floor, is warned to follow decorum rules
“You would be robbing that choice from those women,” Beasley added. “What would you say to someone like me?”
Looking visibly uncomfortable, Graham responded: “[The] world has pretty much spoken on this issue. The developed world has said at this stage of the pregnancy, the child feels pain, and we’re saying we’re going to join the rest of the world and not be like Iran.
“As to your particular case, there will be exceptions for the life of the mother, rape, and incest.”
Yes that’s me crashing @LindseyGrahamSC’s abortion sideshow presser. NO I didn’t have an abortion at 16 wks. Wes was born at 28 wks & lived for 8 days. But we made a choice that every parent should be allowed to make. @DailyMailUK @atrupar Here’s our story https://t.co/JbnLKFa1aI pic.twitter.com/cmiYmWNWxH
— Ashbey Beasley (@CampBeasleywood) September 13, 2022
The Biden administration has strongly condemned Graham’s plan. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that “this bill is wildly out of step with what Americans believe.”
“While president Biden and vice-president Harris are focused on the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, health care, and energy – and to take unprecedented action to address climate change – Republicans in Congress are focused on taking rights away from millions of women,” she added.
Related: After 30 years of bigotry, the “gayest city in America” may finally put this GOP Rep. out to pasture
Meanwhile, Democratic speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called the proposed policy the “latest, clearest signal of extreme MAGA Republicans’ intent to criminalize women’s health freedom in all 50 states and arrest doctors for providing basic care.”
DCFarmboy
Elective abortion 4 months into a pregnancy seems a little extreme. Few progressive social democracies in Europe allow it.
mailliw110
I’m gonna guess that those same countries also have socialized medical. Should we copy that too?
cuteguy
Lady G is so repressed that she takes out her anger on democracy. .If she ever came out and lived free then she would change her tune hopefully
Prax07
Graham needs to experience what a baseball bat to the face feels like. Next time he encounters protesters I’d spend a wish on seeing that happen.
andyr930
I can think of a better use for that bat and he would smile for days.
dbmcvey
Traitor says what?
Kangol2
Women should be making the decisions about their bodies and their reproductive health. Abortion is part of women’s health. This dizzy single right-wing bootlicking DL queen can rage against abortion all he wants, but keep your paws off our laws, Lady G!
missvamp
the bottom line is this- old white men without medical degrees have no business making decisions about my body. period, end of story. i get to decide, with advice from my dr. everyone else can shove it.
JRamonMc
If the right wants women to endure childbirth no matter what the circumstances, how about a bill requiring mandatory sterilization for any man producing a child out of wedlock. Maybe make them think twice about their choices.
wiggie
it’s almost like republicans WANT to lose in November
SDR94103
he speaks like he has a ball gag in his nasty yap.
Jimmynj
Lindsey Graham is complete trash. He should be voted out office when he is eligible to run again.
Mr. Stadnick
That nasty old hate mongering queen should be voted out of office and live in humiliation for the rest of his life due to the damage he has done!
Boybussy
Isn’t this this first season of “The Handmaiden’s Tale”…next they’ll snatch away all women’s bank accounts…then here comes Trump and Lindsey forming Gilead together…all immigrants will be shipped out and we black people are forced back into segregation…or worse enslavement. All gays and trans persons will be executed or forced into labor camps… and this is America…Vote Blue in “22!!