Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are trading blows over the leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Top Republicans, including McConnell, have argued that the unprecedented leak is problematic and part of a Democratic pressure campaign to get justices to change their votes. Democrats counter that the GOP is using the leak as a diversion to avoid discussing what the conservative majority is doing with regard to abortion.
“The integrity and independence of the Supreme Court is once again under attack,” McConnell told reporters at a press conference Tuesday. "Last year, the Democratic leader went over on the steps of the Supreme Court, called a couple of the members out by name, and actually threatened reprisals if they didn't rule the way he chose. Sen. [Sheldon] Whitehouse and others have filed amicus briefs similarly threatening the court, and now we have within the court itself someone else threatening the independence of the court. I want to applaud the chief justice for indicating the court is going to investigate."
SCHUMER SAYS SENATE WILL VOTE ON BILL TO CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS
When pressed on whether his role in confirming conservative judges to the Supreme Court was responsible for the expected ruling, McConnell said, “I think the story today is an effort by someone on the inside to discredit the institution ... which continues a pattern that we've observed over the last couple of years.”
Schumer in turn slammed McConnell’s response, vowing to bring legislation to the floor to codify access to abortions.
“Every time it was brought up substantively about Roe v. Wade, all he did is talk about the leaks," Schumer said. "Republicans are spending all their focus on the leak because they don't want to focus on Roe v. Wade.”
“They do not want to focus on Roe. I heard that Mitch McConnell was asked if you're proud that you got Roe repealed, and he wouldn't even answer 'yes' or 'no.' They spent a decade — two decades trying to repeal Roe, and now they won't own up to it," Schumer added. "They're like the dog that caught the bus. They know they're on the wrong side of history.”
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The bombshell report has sparked fierce debate between parties, with conservatives applauding the news.
While Schumer is looking to bring legislation to the floor, the New York Democrat faces an uphill battle with the Senate split 50-50 and some anti-abortion members in his own party.
Even with Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) calling for legislation to codify Roe, Schumer is unlikely to get the 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster. White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted earlier Tuesday that a previous attempt to pass such a bill did not even get 50 votes.