Mike Braun “Perfectly Comfortable” Criminalizing Abortion

The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today warned Hoosiers about the Indiana Republican Party’s upcoming plans to criminalize access to women’s reproductive health care across Indiana. During an interview on Meet the Press yesterday, U.S. Senator Mike Braun said he was “perfectly comfortable” with making legal and safe abortions criminalized. Braun’s dangerous and partisan rhetoric echoes plans from state Republicans – like State Senator Liz Brown –  who are “interested in pursuing” anti-abortion measures similar to the Texas law, which allows private citizens to sue physicians who provide abortion services. This is expected to happen during the 2022 legislative session.

“Indiana Republicans have made it clear that under their Indiana women are not allowed to receive health care that is essential for their lives and livelihoods. In their view, if a woman is raped, assaulted by a family member, or her life is on the line, she must give birth,” said Lauren Ganapini, executive director of the Indiana Democratic Party. “This ideology and partisanship is extreme, unpopular with a large majority of Hoosiers, and stems from an era that caused far too many women to unnecessarily lose their lives. Democrats believe in safe and legal abortions because all-around access to reproductive health care will actually lower abortion rates while creating a better future for women and families across Indiana.”

Oddly enough, U.S. Senator Mike Braun and U.S. Congressman Dr. Larry Bucshon over the weekend issued social media posts claiming a Hoosier has a right to choose what’s best for their health care needs. In fact, Bucshon stated: “Medical treatments of any kind, whether it is a surgery, treatment, or vaccine should be decided between you and your doctor.” Democrats call on Congressman Bucshon to clarify the difference between the medical procedure of abortion and other medical procedures. 

A large majority of Hoosiers do not support extreme, partisan anti-abortion efforts coming from the Indiana Republican Party. According to a poll conducted by WTHR/Howey Politics Indiana in 2016, more than 56-percent of voters did not support the extreme anti-abortion law signed by then Governor Mike Pence. In fact, more than 61-percent of Hoosier Women opposed the measure as well. Once again, Indiana Republicans will show their extreme partisan agenda comes before creating a better future for Hoosier families. This very reason is why the INGOP is bad for business and bad for Hoosier families.