Politics

Democratic Senator Suggests Kavanaugh Nomination Will Result in Women Being Put in Jail for Abortion

Geoff Harbaugh Contributor
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On the eve of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told Chris Matthews on MSNBC a year from now, “Brett Kavanaugh will be the deciding vote to criminalize abortion.”

While discussing Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ decision to vote yes on Judge Kavanaugh, Murphy said, “I have a great amount of respect for Senator Collins, but I just think she is going to be sorely disappointed when a year from now Brett Kavanaugh writes the decision overturning Roe v. Wade.” Murphy continued, “It’s going to be pretty embarrassing when Brett Kavanaugh is the deciding vote to criminalize abortion in this country.”

Murphy’s claim that abortion would be “criminalized,” even shocked Liberal host Chris Matthews, forcing him to clarify his comments.   Matthews asked, “Let’s talk about that strong language, criminalize means you put a women in jail for having an abortion right? Is that what you are saying?

The Senator replied, “Yeah.” After being talked over by Matthews, Murphy went on, stating, “Listen, this idea that he is going to respect stare decisis, that he is going to respect the precedent of that court, that’s ridiculous. He was vetted by these conservative groups, Heritage Foundation and others to make sure that ultimately he would be that deciding vote to overturn Roe v. Wade . That’s just what’s going to happen.”

After being asked by Mathews how many Republican Senators really want to outlaw abortion, Murphy continued with his claims that abortion would be criminalized. “Listen I take them at their word. Obviously, I can’t get inside their heads, but I think almost to a person they have conducted themselves in a way to make sure that ultimately the majority of states in this country will do it. They come from states that have passed what we call trigger laws. Laws that say the minute that Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court, abortion is illegal in their state. So, you know, they’re walking the walk every single day to try and criminalize abortion, and they knew what this vote was about,” Murphy said.