Roger Stone, a close ally of former President Donald Trump is accusing Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C) of sabotaging Republicans in the midterm elections with his 15-week nationwide abortion ban.
“Wilful sabotage. The states must decide whether to regulate or ban abortion. This federal election is about our safety, security, health, food supply, economy, free speech and the corruption of our Justice system unless RINOS and Democrats try to make it about federal abortion policy which the U.S. Supreme Court made unnecessary,” Stone wrote in a post on Trump’s social media app Truth Social. “Lindsey Graham is purposely helping the Democrats to ensure that we do not take back the U.S. Senate.”
Graham proposed the bill on Tuesday banning abortions nationwide after 15 weeks. It is a more restrictive version of the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act, he introduced last year that banned abortions at 20 weeks. The bill allows for exceptions in the case of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
Graham acknowledged that the bill would not pass in Congress since Democrats control both chambers. He promised pro-life advocates that the bill would have a vote if Republicans take back the House and Senate after the midterms.
However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y) threw cold water on Graham’s plan later on Tuesday, saying he believes the issue of abortion should be left up to the states.
Democrats are already criticizing Graham’s proposal as the issue of abortion has become a motivator for democratic voters since SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called it “wildly out of step with what Americans believe,” according to CBS News.
“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 said in a statement. “The president and vice president are fighting for progress, while Republicans are fighting to take us back.”
Senate Majority Leader Church Schumer (D-N.Y) also slammed the legislation calling it “radical.”
“For the hard right, this has never been about states’ rights. This has never been about letting Texas choose its own path while California takes another,” Schumer said. “No, for MAGA Republicans, this has always been about making abortion illegal everywhere.”
