On Friday afternoon, Andrea Mitchell was again using her eponymous MSNBC show to lobby for abortion as she gave former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards a forum to call for state legislatures to legalize abortion while also suggesting pro-abortion Republicans should vote against their own party over the issue.
Mitchell began the segment by fretting that the Supreme Court is "delivering another major blow to abortion rights" by holding up a challenge to the Texas abortion ban, and complained that it was a "setback" for the "landmark" Roe v. Wade decision.
As she avoided mentioning the annual pro-life March for Life, which was being held the very same day for the first time since the pandemic, Mitchell gave her introduction while flanting images of pro-abortion signs held by liberal counter-protesters.
After Richards -- a frequent guest on the liberal news network -- was allowed to complain about the conservative U.S. Supreme Court, Mitchell followed up by bringing up the possibility of Congress or state legislatures making abortion stay legal:
Does that create pressure and a likelihood that the Mississippi case is going to be decided adversely for those who believe in freedom of choice and Texas still standing? Does that advocate for some congressional action? Or should states individually -- given the trends in Congress as well -- should states begin trying to, you know, legislate on their own -- those who believe, you know, that abortion should be available?
Richards went along with calling for such pro-abortion laws, claimed women would have their lives harmed if abortions were difficult to get, and took aim at the Republican party specifically:
And it's not at risk because of some rogue group of people or right-wing extremists -- it is the Republican party that sits squarely on the fact that the Republican party has made it their mission to overturn the right to make your own decision about your pregnancy and put it instead in the hands of government and politicians. That's what we're facing. That's why so many people are anxious about not only the Supreme Court decision but also redoubling their efforts for the November elections which are going to be critical.
Instead of pushing back on the partisan attack against Republicans, or any of her guest's pushing for the killing of unborn babies, Mitchell followed up by inviting her guest to complain that Democratic voters do not place enough priority on protecting abortion: "Are you surprised that it has not been a base issue for those who are advocating for choice?"
This episode of Andrea Mitchell Reports was sponsored in part by Liberty Mutual. Their contact information is linked.
Transcript follows:
MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports
January 21, 2021
12:39 p.m. EasternANDREA MITCHELL: The Supreme Court delivering another major blow to abortion rights after a majority of the justices, in effect, continued a Texas ban on abortions after six weeks for months more by refusing to let the original trial judge hear the challenger's appeal for immediate relief. Another setback as the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling approaches its 49th anniversary tomorrow. Could this be Roe's last anniversary as we await the Supreme Court's Mississippi case that could lead to the end of legal abortions as we know them?
Joining us now is Cecile Richards, the co-chair of American Bridge 21st Century and of course the former president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Cecile, good to be with you. We are nearing almost five decades of Roe v. Wade tomorrow, but the future of abortion access is in the hands of the Supreme Court. What are the latest decisions on Texas on the procedural issues for a stay basically on the Texas ban, say, to where you think we are with these 6-3 decisions?
(CECILE RICHARDS, FORMER PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT)
Does that create pressure and a likelihood that the Mississippi case is going to be decided adversely for those who believe in freedom of choice and Texas still standing? Does that advocate for some congressional action? Or should states individually -- given the trends in Congress as well -- should states begin trying to, you know, legislate on their own -- those who believe, you know, that abortion should be available?
CECILE RICHARDS, FORMER PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT: Sure, absolutely, Andrea, and we're seeing that in states that are working to codify Roe in state legislation because, of course, if Roe is overturned by this court -- by this, you know, Trump appointee-dominated court that will make it a state by state issue -- unfortunately, that will mean, of course, in some states, women have rights, and other states that they don't. And, as we know, if abortion is made illegal, it is going to fall disproportionately on folks with low incomes, young people, women of color, folks who have -- who can't leave a job and go to another state can't leave their children with someone else while they go away, get time off work.
And that's really, of course, the fear, and that's what we're seeing already happen in Texas. I think the extraordinary thing about this, Andrea, is that that the rogue decision just radically changed opportunities for people in this country and particularly women who are able to finish school, you know, get into the economy, get master's degrees, do, you know, plan their families. All of that is now at risk.
And it's not at risk because of some rogue group of people or right-wing extremists -- it is the Republican party that sits squarely on the fact that the Republican party has made it their mission to overturn the right to make your own decision about your pregnancy and put it instead in the hands of government and politicians. That's what we're facing. That's why so many people are anxious about not only the Supreme Court decision but also redoubling their efforts for the November elections which are going to be critical.
MITCHELL Are you surprised that it has not been a base issue for those who are advocating for choice?
RICHARDS: Well, I think the, of course, it hasn't been, in some ways, an issue because it's a constitutional right, and it's been a right for 50 years. I think what now is happening, of course, is folks from all walks of life are waking up and realizing that, because of what the Republican party has done, this is now going to be a political battle that everyone has to be engaged in. And I do think it's important to point out to your question about what can Congress do -- the House of Representatives recently passed the Women's Health Protection Act which would actually protect access to safe and legal abortion. I will note, though, it passed without a single Republican vote -- single Republican vote -- and so this is a matter where we have to take this to the Republican party. Millions of people in the Republican party support abortion rights, and they need to now vote -- vote their values and vote your conscience.
MITCHELL: Cecile Richards, we're going to leave it there, but thank you very much. It's good to see you again.
