Mitch McConnell says federal abortion ban could be enacted if Roe v Wade is overturned

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says a federal abortion ban is ‘possible’ if the Supreme Court rules to overturn Roe v. Wade.

‘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,’ McConnell, of Kentucky, told USA Today on Thursday. 

‘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.’ 

However, McConnell remained cautious when addressing whether Republicans would pass abortion banning legislation if they were to win back the Senate in the upcoming midterm election.

‘With regard to the abortion issue, I think it’s pretty clear where Senate Republicans stand,’ he 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.’ 

McConnell’s remarks come in response to a Supreme Court draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that revealed that the court has voted to strike down the landmark 1973 ruling Rove v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States.

The draft opinion, which was published by POLITICO on Monday, comes amid nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections and could change before the ruling is finalized in coming weeks. 

Democrats have expressed great disapproval of the SCOTUS opinion, alleging overturning Roe v. Wade would be ‘one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history’.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, said on Tuesday that he would force a vote this upcoming week to codify Roe v. Wade.

‘A vote on this legislation is not an abstract exercise. This is as urgent and real as it gets. We’ll vote to protect a women’s right to choose,’ he tweeted.

However, analysts predict the vote will fall short because the measure doesn’t have the necessary 60 votes to advance. Regardless, Democrats remain eager to get the GOP’s votes on record ahead of the midterms, likely to further their efforts to sway Americans to vote blue.

Similarly, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued a statement Saturday citing McConnell’s USA Today interview in an effort to fire up its base.

‘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 woman’s right to make our own decisions,’ the statement read. ‘For voters, the stakes of protecting and expanding our Democratic Senate majority in 2022 have never been higher.’

In wake of the leaked opinion, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement addressing abortion rights.

‘If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years — not just on women but on all Americans,’ the pair penned. 

‘The Republican-appointed Justices’ reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.’