Mar 13 2003

Graham Supports Partial Birth Abortion Ban

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-Seneca) today voted in support of a ban on partial birth abortion. The measure passed by a 64-33 margin. “I’m very pleased the Senate was able to pass legislation to ban the horrible procedure know as partial birth abortion,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “America may be divided on abortion policy in the early stages of pregnancy, but banning abortion in the last months of pregnancy is overwhelmingly supported.” The legislation prohibits any person from performing a partial birth abortion. The procedure is defined as an abortion where the person partially delivers a living fetus and kills the fetus before completing delivery. It does provide an exception in case the life of the mother is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Any person performing the procedure would be subject to fines and up to two years in prison. They could also be held liable for civil damages. The mother of the aborted fetus is exempted from prosecution. “Today’s action is a step in the right direction toward making our society more civilized,” said Graham. “I’m confident if the House of Representatives’ approves the legislation, President Bush will sign it into law.” In previous years, the partial birth abortion ban passed the House and Senate only to be vetoed by President Bill Clinton.