DPG Statement on Kemp’s Extreme Abortion Ban Taking Effect

Gov. Kemp’s Extreme Ban Will Outlaw Care Before Most Women Even Know They’re Pregnant and Make Most Abortion in Georgia Illegal

After the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Gov. Brian Kemp’s extreme abortion ban can now be enforced in Georgia, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, released the following statement in response:

“Today is a dark and difficult day in Georgia — Brian Kemp’s extreme abortion ban will  take effect, outlawing abortion before most women even know they’re pregnant.

“Kemp’s dangerous law has severe consequences for women and doctors, who could be thrown in jail for seeking or providing reproductive care. We can’t take this sitting down — we know the governor and Georgia Republicans want to go even further and outlaw abortion with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest.

“With out-of-touch GOP extremists rolling back our rights and women’s lives at stake, it’s crucial that Georgians elect Stacey Abrams and Democrats up and down the ballot who will fight to defend access to abortion, come hell or high water.”

Hours after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr rushed to implement Kemp’s abortion ban, despite the fact that 7 in 10 Georgians support Roe v. Wade’s protections for reproductive care. Kemp and Carr have not ruled out going further with even more extreme abortion bans in Georgia that would force victims of rape or incest to carry pregnancies to term.

More on Brian Kemp’s extreme abortion ban:

• Kemp bragged about signing the “toughest abortion bill in the country” in 2019, which bans abortion before most women even know they’re pregnant. Kemp’s law could allow prosecutors to file criminal charges against women who get abortions and even target women who miscarry.

• Kemp’s extreme law would essentially limit the ability of women seeking an abortion to just 2 weeks, effectivley outlawing “most abortion in Georgia.”

• Under Kemp’s agenda, victims of rape or incest could be forced to give birth. Kemp has repeatedly stated his staunch opposition to any exceptions for rape or incest in an abortion ban.

• Health care professionals are warning that the governor’s new restrictions will “pile on challenges” for patients and providers in an already “tough system” to navigate.

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