Mitch McConnell Promises Senate Vote on 'Late-Term' Abortion Ban

Since the country has entered full election mode, it’s time to start messing with women’s bodies. During a speech on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised the Faith and Freedom Coalition that the Senate will vote on The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill — whose name seems like something out of a Margaret Atwood novel — passed the House earlier this year, bans abortion after 20 weeks unless a woman’s life is in danger or she is a rape or incest victim.

McConnell told the conservative group:

“It’s about time we begin the process of putting America into the ranks of most other civilized countries by protecting unborn children after 20 weeks in the womb.”

The AP report indicates that the bill is likely to see support only from conservative ranks of the Republican party and that more moderate members, like Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, will probably vote against it. If the bill does pass the Senate, it will definitely be vetoed by President Obama.

But since abortion bans are one of the better ways to burnish your conservative credentials, the bill gives presidential hopefuls a chance to rail against evil and stuff. The bill’s Senate sponsor, Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) said earlier this month that he believes most Americans support the legislation. “America is thinking about the baby,” the presidential hopeful said. “This is no longer an academic debate.”

Democrats oppose the bill as does the American Congress of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.