Lindsey Graham Mocked for ‘Late-Term’ Abortion Ban: ‘Can’t Do Basic Math’

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was criticized on social media in response to his announcement that he plans to introduce a new “late-term abortion” ban.

“Lindsey Graham says his 15-week federal abortion ban is a ban on “late-term” abortions. A normal pregnancy is 40 weeks. 15 weeks is barely into the 2nd trimester,” Jill Filipovic wrote on Twitter. “Not only do these men have no idea how women’s bodies work, they also can’t do basic math.”

Axios reported that on Monday night, Graham’s office sent out an email saying that he planned to hold a press conference on Tuesday to introduce the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act.

While speaking with Fox News on Tuesday, Graham elaborated on the legislation he planned to introduce and said, “I see this as a responsible alternative to the very radical position by Democratic senators….I can assure that a vast majority of Americans do not support abortion on demand up to delivery.”

Graham’s announcement came several months after the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, which created a Constitutional right for women to get an abortion. Additionally, the midterm elections are coming up and a recent poll conducted by Axios found that 55 percent of voters said that “abortion access” is a “very important” issue.

Shortly after his announcement, many social media users spoke out against the planned legislation.

“Breaking: Graham just told Fox News that his “late-term abortion act” is indeed a 15-week ban,” Caroline Kitchener of the Washington Post wrote on Twitter. “This is pretty extraordinary language to be using for 15 weeks. When antiabortion groups use “late term abortions” (not a medical phrase), it’s usually understood to mean 21-24 weeks +.”

Connecticut state Senator Matt Lesser wrote, “This is the issue of this election. The Republican Party wants to take away fundamental rights – not just in red states but everywhere.”

In a subsequent tweet, Lesser wrote, “Senator Graham’s bill is a national 15 week abortion ban. That’s in no way a ‘late term abortion.'”

Elie Mytsal of The Nation wrote, “Please stop calling Lindsey Graham’s National Abortion Ban a “late term” abortion ban just because that’s what he calls it. He’s lying about what it is. YOU DON’T HAVE TO REPEAT LIARS JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU TO, media people.”

Kentucky Senate candidate Charles Booker wrote, “As Kentucky’s next Senator, I will never vote for Lindsey Graham’s 15-week nationwide abortion ban.”

On the other hand, during the press conference on Tuesday, many of those in attendance showed support for Graham’s legislation.

“President [Joe] Biden and Congressional Democrats are pushing legislation that would override every law, every regulation that limits abortion at any and all points of pregnancy,” Star Parker, president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, said during the press conference. “These abortion bills being pushed by Democrats explicit override the Religious Freedom Restoration Act…and they shamefully inject racial allegations to slander the entire Pro-life community.”

Graham also spoke during the press conference and said, “While Roe v. Wade being repealed is a step in the right direction for me and others in elected office to give us a voice we’ve never had, it’s also a step in the right direction for the American people to figure out among themselves in different parts of the country how to do this.”

Newsweek was directed to the press conference after reaching out to Graham’s office for comment.