Middle Georgia Democrats speak out on abortion access as elections loom
MACON, Ga. (WGXA) -- Georgia Democrats were in Macon on Monday to speak out against Republican efforts to block access to abortion healthcare.
Following the US Supreme Court's overturning of the 1973 case Roe v. Wade, which granted federal protections to abortion services, Governor Brian Kemp renewed the push for Georgia's six-week abortion ban.
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Georgia's "heartbeat" abortion bill was passed in 2019 but later blocked by a federal court from becoming law in the state.
“The Supreme Court’s decision has cleared the way for Republicans to roll back the fundamental rights of women to make their own health care decisions – including here in Georgia. As we speak, Governor Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr are currently using the powers of their office to implement Kemp’s extreme abortion ban that’s been held up in court since 2019. If the governor’s extreme abortion ban becomes the law of the land in Georgia, abortion will be outlawed before most women even know they’re pregnant,” said State Representative Miriam Paris. “If Republicans keep control, they’ll deny reproductive health care to rape victims. They’ll force minors to carry pregnancies to term. They may even throw women and doctors in jail. This is not the future Georgians want for our state. Me and my Democratic colleagues in the state legislature will continue to fight for the fundamental right to reproductive freedom. But we urgently need more pro-choice leaders in state government.”
With abortion losing federal protections, Georgia Republicans are picking efforts back up to ban access to these services. GOP Senate candidate Herschel Walker has also committed to supporting a nationwide ban without exceptions.
“Reproductive rights are on the line in the Senate race, too. Just last month, Mitch McConnell confirmed that a federal abortion ban is on the table if the GOP takes control of the Senate. That means that if Herschel Walker wins in November and Republicans flip the Senate, we’re one step closer to a nationwide abortion ban,” said Courtney Driver, Chair of Houston County Democrats and candidate for HD 146. “Reproductive health care decisions should only involve a patient and her doctor. Politicians do not need to be involved in the most deeply personal health decision that a woman makes. Thankfully, Georgians have a champion for women's health and the right to choose in the Senate right now. Reverend Warnock believes women should be able to make their own health care decisions—not politicians. We need to re-elect him so he can continue to fight in the Senate to restore women’s rights to make their own health care decisions.”
