Senate Republicans blocked Democrats from advancing a decision geared toward making certain entry to emergency well being care, together with for abortions, as Democrats preserve their messaging centered on reproductive rights forward of November.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) tried to go the decision, which was launched final week, by way of unanimous consent. She argued it was essential after ProPublica reported a delay in emergency abortion care led to Amber Nicole Thurman’s dying in 2022.
“We need to send a very clear message on this,” Murray mentioned. “The Senate needs to speak with one voice and tell the American people, ‘Yes, we want to make sure your doctor can save your life.'”
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) blocked the request and argued that the Democratic declare is inaccurate and medical doctors throughout the nation, regardless of the Supreme Courtroom’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, are capable of carry out emergency care regardless of the state of affairs.
“Every physician prior to the Dobbs decision, when there were limitations to abortion across the country, and post-Dobbs decision, when every single state is making those decisions, allowed physicians in an ER to be able to make lifesaving decisions for the mother and the child. Every doctor has already the ability to be able to make that decision to be able to protect the life of the mother,” he mentioned.
“They have the protections to be able to do that,” Lankford continued. “So this is a false claim that somehow that what happened in the Dobbs decision and what’s happening in states is limiting that. It’s actually the political rhetoric that’s making people afraid.”
Minutes later, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) tried to go a invoice of her personal that may offset abortion prices for girls in search of abortion care. That unanimous consent request was blocked by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).
The strikes mark the most recent try by Senate Democrats to focus on reproductive rights in latest months.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) held a vote final week to cement entry to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and mandate protection of the observe by insurance coverage firms. Republicans blocked it, arguing it was a “show” vote and politically motivated. The vote occurred after former President Trump referred to as for IVF remedies to be lined by authorities or insurance coverage by way of a mandate.
He additionally held votes over the summer season on abortion care, contraception and an earlier vote on IVF entry.
Schumer held the votes Tuesday, with the stopgap authorities spending bundle set to hit the ground in some unspecified time in the future Wednesday and tie up motion till the tip of the week.
