Senate hearing frames post-Roe debate on abortion

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A U.S. Senate hearing highlighted Tuesday how abortion bans across the country have impacted families since the overturning of Roe v. Wade two years ago.

With reproductive rights set to be a key issue in November’s elections, Republicans wanted to flip the script of the hearing, accusing Democrats of playing politics.

“How can we dehumanize this?” asked U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) as he pointed to pictures ranging from 10 to 41 weeks. “At what point do my Democratic colleagues believe that a child deserves to live?”

“We can do better as a country,” said U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

Senators Mullin and Cassidy support state restrictions on abortion as do some doctors who testified at the hearing.

“There’s been a lot of false information being spread that laws limiting abortion will prevent these lifesaving treatments, but honestly, this is absurd,” said Dr. Christina Francis, the CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Other doctors at the hearing pushed back, arguing restrictions don’t just force patients to travel out of state but also force providers to question whether to move.

“I have had thoughts about leaving even though I love my home and my community,” said Dr. Nisha Verma, a Physicians for Reproductive Health fellow.

Verma stressed she faces threats of criminal prosecution if she violates Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. She said medical students are seeing that and going to states with no bans.

“That’s just going to get worse and worse and make pregnancy riskier and more dangerous,” Verma said.

Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) argue this will impact access to all types of reproductive care, from prenatal to IVF to contraception.

“The American people want to know what’s at stake here and what we’re fighting for,” Murray said during a press conference before the hearing.

The Senate plans to vote Wednesday on a measure that would protect birth control access at the federal level.

“The Senate will take action,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed.

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