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Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., spoiled the Democrat Party’s plans to codify abortion as federal law on Wednesday after voting with Republicans against the anti-life measure.
Despite being in favor of codifying Roe v. Wade, the West Virginia lawmaker said that this bill goes “too far.” Manchin took issue with the forced vote because it was not merely a codification but an “expansion” of abortion.
To clarify, the deceptively titled “Women’s Health Protection Act” would pose a threat to every piece of pro-life legislation in the country. Furthermore, the bill would attack parental consent laws concerning abortion, repeal the Hyde Amendment, and prohibit future introductions of state or federal pro-life laws.
Speaking to reporters, ” They’re trying to make people believe that this is the same thing as codification,” but “it’s not,” said Manchin. In addition, the senator believes that the bill will only divide, not unite, Americans. “We should not be dividing this country further than we’re already divided,” added Manchin.
“And it’s really the politics of Congress that’s dividing the country. It’s not the people. They’re telling us what they want. And it’s just disappointing that we’re going to be voting on a piece of legislation which I will not vote for today,” he said. “But I would vote for Roe v. Wade codification if it was today, I was hopeful for that. But I found out yesterday in caucus that wasn’t going to be.”
This is not the first time that Manchin has parted ways with his party. In January, Democrats attempted to eliminate the filibuster and pass two “voting rights” bills. However, Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., thwarted the hopes of the progressives. The Democrat duo joined all 50 Republicans to uphold the debate procedure.
Counting the Democrat failure as a victory, conservatives remain hopeful that the SCOTUS will overturn Roe v. Wade.