Siding With Majority of Americans on Abortion Access, Senate Blocks 20-Week Ban

Women’s rights groups applauded Tuesday as the Senate voted against a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In a statement, the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) noted that the ban likely would not have stood up in court if it had passed, as the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that women should have access to safe, legal abortions, especially when maternal or fetal health are at risk—and characterized it as a “distracting” symbolic vote.

“As the clock ticks for Washington to approve a budget and find a solution for Dreamers, the Senate wasted time on an unconstitutional abortion ban,” said Nancy Northrup, president of the organization. “This vote was a distraction. While it was stopped in it tracks, it’s clear that anti-choice politicians and Senate leadership are prioritizing chipping away at constitutional freedoms over keeping the lights on and supporting policies the American people want.”

“As the clock ticks for Washington to approve a budget and find a solution for Dreamers, the Senate wasted time on an unconstitutional abortion ban.”—Nancy Northrup, CRR