Middle Georgia Democrats Call Out Republicans’ Push for Dangerous Abortion Ban in Georgia

Today, following calls from Georgia Republican candidates and elected officials to make abortion totally illegal, Middle Georgia Democrats highlighted how the Republican push to take away a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions is wildly out of touch with the vast majority of Georgia voters.

Hours after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Gov. Brian Kemp pushed the federal court that originally blocked his extreme six-week abortion ban to make it the law of the land in Georgia. Now, Kemp, GOP Senate candidate Herschel Walker, and Republicans across the state are pushing to go even further and fully outlaw abortion. In the Senate, Walker would support a nationwide ban without exceptions.

Republican candidates across Georgia support the six-week ban, but also want to go further to make abortion totally illegal. Kemp, Walker, and Georgia GOP candidates’ positions are out of step with Georgia voters. 68% of Georgians, per an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll from January, oppose the overturning of Roe v. Wade and do not support a six-week ban or further restrictions.

“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 Rep. 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.”

“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.”

###