Abortion rights in 17th Congressional race: How Mike Lawler, Sean Patrick Maloney differ
David McKay Wilson | Rockland/Westchester Journal News | Oct. 6, 2022
Abortion rights have emerged as a clash point for many Congressional races since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
That’s true in the Hudson Valley’s 17th District, where the differences are stark between state Assemblyman Mike Lawler, R-Pearl River and six-term incumbent Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring.
Lawler opposes elective abortion, even early in a woman’s pregnancy. Lawler backs limiting abortion rights to victims of rape and incest, or if the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life, according to an op-ed submitted to the USA TODAY Network.
He also opposes a federal ban on abortion proposed by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, and has vowed to vote against such a bill if he wins a seat in Congress.
“I am personally pro-life,” Lawler wrote. “My support for life was reaffirmed for me when my wife and I experienced a miscarriage in 2020. Thankfully, we were blessed with a healthy baby girl this year!”
Maloney, on the other hand, is a champion for abortion rights.
In July, Maloney was co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would codify the rights set down in Roe v. Wade. While the bill narrowly passed the House, Senate Democrats have yet to call it to a vote because passage would require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster by Senate Republicans….
“Mike Lawler cheered when the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade because he wants politicians to control women’s personal, medical decisions,” said Maloney. “I believe those decisions belong between a woman and her doctor.”
