“I thought a lot about my beliefs. In fact, I was against abortion until I went to college. There I met a friend who shared my beliefs and values, but we started talking about reproductive health care and what abortion really is. I care. When I talk about this, it’s an experience for me because she’s able to give me a different perspective,” Abrams said when asked how her Christian faith affects her Christian faith. Tell CNN’s Dana Bash “State of the Union” her thoughts on the issue.
“And over the next few years, I really started thinking about what role should the legislature play, what role should the government play?” she continued. “It’s about healthcare. It’s about women’s rights to control their own bodies. … And, for me, as a matter of belief, it means I’m not going to impose those value systems on others. What’s more Yes, I protect her rights, I protect her humanity, it should be my responsibility.”
The ban, signed by Kemp 2019, bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which could be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy — a time when many women don’t even know they’re pregnant. The law was later rejected by a federal district judge on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. However, after Roe was overturned, a federal appeals court allowed it to go into effect.
Asked by Bash how she would fight for abortion rights with the Republican-controlled state legislature, Abrams said the situation would not be the first time she has had to interact with people of different political ideologies.
“I’ve been in the legislature for 11 years, seven years as Democratic leader and minority leader, and I’ve been very successful,” she said.
“I understand how to negotiate and how to navigate, but I also understand that most Georgians don’t like this law — it’s an extreme ban, it’s dangerous, and it affects women in all fields,” she added.
“Electing me as governor would be a sea change that would send a strong signal to the remaining lawmakers that they must do the right thing for women in Georgia,” Abrams said.
“If he chooses to run again, I will support him,” Abrams told Bash.
