Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said a national ban on abortion is “possible” if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade this summer.
According to a court opinion leaked by Politico earlier this week, the Supreme Court appears set to strike down the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. If that happens, states will decide the issue of abortion.
Several Republican-led states already have “trigger laws,” that would ban abortions immediately or soon after if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
On the other hand, Democratic-led states including New Jersey and Vermont have codified abortion rights into state law, therefore guaranteeing abortion rights in those states, according to Newsweek.
In an interview with USA Today, McConnell said that a national ban on abortion would be “possible” if Republicans win back control of Congress.
“If the leaked opinion became the final opinion, legislative bodies—not only at the state level but at the federal level—certainly could legislate in that area,” he said. “And if this were the final decision, that was the point that it should be resolved one way or another in the legislative process. So yeah, it’s possible.”
“With regard to the abortion issue, I think it’s pretty clear where Senate Republicans stand,” McConnell added. “And if and when the court makes a final decision, I expect everybody will be more definitive. But I don’t think it’s much secret where Senate Republicans stand on that issue.”
But, he told USA Today that he does not support getting rid of the filibuster to pass a legislation banning abortion nationwide. Such legislation would require 60 votes to pass in the Senate and Democrats would not support a bill to ban abortion.
“Mitch McConnell confirmed what voters have long known: Republicans will use every tool they can, from the courts to Congress, to make abortion illegal everywhere and strip away a women’s right to make our own decisions. For voters, the stakes of protecting and expanding our Democratic Senate Majority in 2022 have never been higher,” the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said in response to McConnell’s remarks.
