05.11.22

Democrats Prioritize Third Trimester Abortions Over Tackling Inflation

As Generationally High Inflation Continues To Hammer American Families, Senate Democrats Are Focused On A Radical Nine Month Abortion On Demand Bill That Only 19% Of Americans Support

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “The country just received yet another terrible inflation report. Yet again, overall inflation came in higher than expected: 8.3 percent. Inflation continues to stick right around its worst level in 40 years. The measure the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls ‘core inflation’ increased in April by twice as much as it increased in March. Food costs are way up again. Housing costs are way up again. President Biden has presided over one of the most expensive years for working families in modern American history. … It is this President and his all-Democrat government who have drained American families’ pocketbooks. And every poll shows our citizens understand that sad reality all too well. … Today, on the Senate floor, Democrats will prove their party has been totally captured by the far-left fringe. My colleague the Democratic Leader controls the schedule. He decides what we vote on. From inflation to the border crisis to violent crime, there’s no shortage of problems that deserve attention. But today, Democrats have decided to line up behind an extreme and radical abortion policy. Our Democratic colleagues want to vote for abortion on demand through all nine months, until the moment before a baby is born. … Democrats’ bill would functionally allow elective abortion through all nine months. Abortion until the moment of birth. … This bill would take us to an even more extreme and darker place. Only 19% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases into the third trimester. But 97% of House and Senate Democrats have cosponsored this bill that would have exactly that effect.” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 5/11/2022)

Inflation In April Increased 8.3% Year-On-Year, ‘Continuing A Climb That Has Pushed Consumers To The Brink And Is Threatening The Economic Expansion’

“Inflation rose again in April, continuing a climb that has pushed consumers to the brink and is threatening the economic expansion, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. The consumer price index, a broad-based measure of prices for goods and services, increased 8.3% from a year ago, higher than the Dow Jones estimate for an 8.1% gain. That represented a slight ease from March’s peak but was still close to the highest level since the summer of 1982.” (“Inflation Barreled Ahead At 8.3% In April From A Year Ago, Remaining Near 40-Year Highs,” CNBC, 5/11/2022)

Core Inflation Increased In April By Twice As Much As It Increased In March, ‘Clouding Hopes That Inflation Had Peaked’

“The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.6 percent in April following a 0.3-percent advance in March.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Press Release, 5/11/2022)

“Removing volatile food and energy prices, so-called core CPI still rose 6.2%, against expectations for a 6% gain, clouding hopes that inflation had peaked in March.” (“Inflation Barreled Ahead At 8.3% In April From A Year Ago, Remaining Near 40-Year Highs,” CNBC, 5/11/2022)

April Marks A Full Year Of Inflation Rising At Least 5% And The Fifth Consecutive Month Of At Least 7% Inflation

April marked the TWELFTH consecutive month in which inflation rose at least 5 percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Over The Past Year, Prices For Goods And Services Essential To Everyday Life Have Skyrocketed

The price of all items increased 8.3% year-on-year. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Food prices increased 9.4% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1981. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Food at home (grocery) prices increased 10.8% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1980. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Prices for food away from home increased 7.2% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1981. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Prices for new vehicles increased 13.2% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1949. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Prices for housing increased 6.5% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1982. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

Prices for rent of shelter increased 5.2% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1991. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 5/11/2022)

U.S. Gas Prices Are The Highest They Have Ever Been In American History

LEADER McCONNELL: “Gas prices are now the highest they have ever been in American history. Americans are now paying roughly $4.40 per gallon. That’s up about two whole dollars from when President Biden put his hand on the Bible.” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 5/10/2022)

“U.S. gas prices hit an all-time record [on May 10th], and experts don't expect the pain at the pump to ease any time soon. The average price for regular gas in the U.S. was $4.37 per gallon on [May 10th], according to AAA. Diesel prices also hit a record $5.55 per gallon.” (“Gas Prices Hit A Record High On Tuesday, Surpassing Records Set In March,” USA Today, 5/10/2022)

Compounding The Problem, Americans Are Now Losing Even More Of Their Paychecks To Inflation, With Year-On-Year Real Average Weekly Earnings Decreasing 3.4%

“Real average hourly earnings decreased 2.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, from April 2021 to April 2022. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with a decrease of 0.9 percent in the average workweek resulted in a 3.4-percent decrease in real average weekly earnings over this period.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Press Release, Accessed 5/11/2022)

As The Country Suffers From Inflation, Senate Democrats Are Focused On Passing A Nine Month Abortion On Demand Bill That Only 19% Of Americans Support

Today, Senate Democrats Are Voting For A Nine Month Abortion On Demand Bill That Doesn’t Even Have 50 Votes

“The Senate will vote today on whether to invoke cloture on the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation designed to codify the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision into law. … Yet in reality, the result of today’s vote is predetermined. The Democratic effort to overcome the GOP filibuster against Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s (D-Conn.) abortion rights proposal will fail. Democrats, in fact, don’t even have 50 votes, much less the needed 60 for cloture. ... Democrats didn’t discuss ending the filibuster during their weekly party lunch on Tuesday, despite public calls from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), among others, to do so in order to protect Roe. You may be asking yourself about the political wisdom of holding this vote if it’s certain to fail.” (Punchbowl AM, 5/11/2022)

“Democrats are pushing for another vote on a bill that would legalize some abortions through all nine months of a woman’s pregnancy.” (“Democrats Use Leaked SCOTUS Opinion To Push Bill Legalizing Some Abortions For All 9 Months,” Fox News, 5/4/2022)

“[T]he Women’s Health Protection Act, would explicitly give health care providers the right to provide abortion services and their patients the right to obtain them. It goes substantially further than codifying Roe v. Wade, laying out a lengthy list of prohibited restrictions and limits — many of which have been enacted by states... For instance, it would bar mandatory ultrasounds, waiting periods and requirements that providers obtain admitting privileges at local hospitals.” (“Here’s How Democrats in Congress Are Trying to Protect Abortion Rights,” The New York Times, 5/10/2022)

Only 19% Of Americans Think Abortions Should Be Legal In The Third Trimester

According to a 2021 AP-NORC poll, only 19% of Americans think most or all abortions should be legal in the third trimester. (“AP-NORC Poll: Most Say Restrict Abortion After 1st Trimester,” The Associated Press, 6/25/2021)

But Voters, Including Pro-Choice Women, Are More Concerned About Inflation Than Abortion

A Recent Gallup Poll Shows More Americans Citing Economic Concerns As The Most Important U.S. Problem With Inflation And The High Cost Of Living As The Top Economic Issues

“Americans’ confidence in the economy remains very low, and mentions of economic issues as the most important problem in the U.S. are at their highest point since 2016. Inflation, which registered as the top economic problem last month and continues to be, was previously at this level in 1984.” (“Inflation Concerns Fueling Low Economic Confidence In U.S.,” Gallup, 4/27/2022)

In the most recent Gallup poll, among Americans naming an economic issue as the most important problem facing the country, or the high cost of living is the top concern. (“Inflation Concerns Fueling Low Economic Confidence In U.S.,” Gallup, 4/27/2022)

  • “Roughly four in 10 Americans name economic issues as the most important problem facing the U.S. This figure includes 17% who mention inflation or the high cost of living, 12% who name the economy in general and 6% who say fuel prices. … The percentage of U.S. adults who cite any economic concern as the country’s most important problem has edged up four percentage points this month to 39%, the highest level in six years.” (“Inflation Concerns Fueling Low Economic Confidence In U.S.,” Gallup, 4/27/2022)

Suburban Pro-Choice Women In A Swing State Say Their Top Issue Is Inflation, Not Abortion

“Laura Wilson is a mother of three who lives in the sprawling suburbs of north Phoenix, a hotly contested electoral area of Arizona that could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate after November's congressional elections. Wilson, 61, is pro-choice, voted for Democratic President Joe Biden, and knew all about the news last week that the U.S. Supreme Court is likely poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision giving women the right to an abortion. Yet Wilson said she is undecided about who she will vote for this November, and abortion rights are not a priority for her. ‘It's the economy and jobs,’ Wilson said. She said she was disappointed in Biden, because of high inflation and ‘too many homeless people on the streets.’” (“Suburban Phoenix Is Cautionary Tale For Democrats Hoping To Galvanize Voters On Abortion,” Reuters, 5/9/2022) 

“Wilson was one of 21 women interviewed by Reuters in the northern suburbs of Phoenix - a key area for Democratic Senator Mark Kelly's efforts to hold onto his seat - after news of the Supreme Court draft ruling broke. Most of the women said inflation, not abortion, was the galvanizing issue for them. Of the 21 women interviewed by Reuters, five said they were pro-life and Republican, while 16 said they were pro-choice. Just two of the 16 said the issue was the top priority for them when voting this November, while half of the 16 were undecided about who to vote for in the Senate race because of concerns about the economy. The other half said they would likely vote Democrat.” (“Suburban Phoenix Is Cautionary Tale For Democrats Hoping To Galvanize Voters On Abortion,” Reuters, 5/9/2022)

###
SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER