While the right to abortion has been codified in Connecticut law since 1990, U.S. Sen.
Chris Murphy warned Wednesday night how women in the state could still be at risk if Republicans impose a national ban. “I know that doesn’t seem possible in Connecticut. But if the Republican Party platform is put into law, then no one in Connecticut is safe,” the two-term Democrat said during a televised debate.
Even though he is favored to win reelection, Murphy echoed a key talking point Democratic congressional incumbents and challengers in much tighter races across the country have been using to capitalize on the national debate over abortion rights. That prompted Murphy's Republican challenger, small business owner Matt Corey, to accuse Murphy of trying to scare voters. “The state of Connecticut's law is what it is,” he said, calling it “settled law” and that he stands by the state's laws.
“So Senator Murphy wants to fear-monger in this election because that's what they do in Washington. They send fear through you," said Corey, adding how GOP leaders have said any bill that would enact a national ban on abortion would be vetoed. But Murphy insisted that Connecticut law would be at risk if a fetus was considered a person in federal law.
“If that is indeed the law, that means that every abortion in this country would be illegal, regardless of whether you live in Connecticut, a blue state, or you live in Texas, a red state,” he said. “So I don’t think I’m fearm.
