WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today released the following statement after voting against Senate Democrats’ abortion legislation:
“Democrats’ knee-jerk effort to make abortions available on demand until the moment of birth is extreme and out of step with what most Americans believe. This is the second time the Senate has voted on this unrestrained policy– and for the second time, it has failed to get majority support. In Alabama, we hold our Christian conservative values in high regard and believe that every life is precious. I voted against this bill today to protect the lives of the unborn.”
BACKGROUND:
On May 2nd, a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion on the Mississippi abortion case – Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – was leaked to the press. The draft majority decision indicated it would uphold the Mississippi law, which limits abortion to fifteen weeks, and therefore, overturn Roe v. Wade. Should the Supreme Court’s final decision mirror the draft opinion, individual states would then have the authority to enact their own restrictions on abortion.
In response to the leaked draft opinion, which is not final, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act. The bill would supersede all state and federal laws on abortion allowing for late-term abortions and sex-selective abortions. Additionally, the legislation eliminated long-standing conscience protections to ensure religiously-affiliated health care providers do not face government discrimination for declining to perform certain health care services on religious or moral grounds. Today’s vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act failed by a vote of 49 to 51.
The Senate voted on similar legislation earlier this year, and that vote also failed by a vote of 46 to 48. Some Democrats have argued for eliminating the filibuster in order to pass this abortion bill. If the filibuster was eliminated, the bill could pass with 51 votes. However, the Senate failed to get 51 votes twice this year on the same policy, illustrating how unpopular late-term abortion is within their own caucus.
The United States’ current position on abortion does not reflect international mainstream standards. The United States is 1 of 7 nations, including China and North Korea, that allow for abortion on demand beyond the point babies can feel pain. 47 out of 50 European nations limit abortion at 15 weeks or earlier. Additionally, the majority of Americans support pro-life protections. When asked, 71% of Americans support significant limits on abortion and 80% of Americans believe that third trimester abortions should be illegal.
Senator Tuberville has spoken out about supporting the lives of mothers and highlighted the vital role adoption plays in supporting the life of a child after birth.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
###
