In a radio interview yesterday, Lieutenant Governor and North Carolina Senate President Mark Robinson called on the legislature to pass a so-called “heartbeat” bill, but said if he were governor he would sign a complete ban on abortion:

“If I had all the power right now, let’s say I was the governor that had a willing legislature, we could pass a bill that says you can’t have an abortion in North Carolina for any reason.” 

“I’d love to pass a law that restricts abortion. I’d love to pass a law a heartbeat right now love to see a heartbeat bill proposed, you know, in our legislature.” 

Robinson’s comments put even more pressure on Phil Berger and his colleagues in the Senate as “dueling factions of the party” can’t come to a consensus on the issue. Republican Speaker of the House Tim Moore has also “publicly backed” a six-week abortion ban, but Berger has previously stopped short.

“Mark Robinson has made clear he doesn’t trust women to make their own health care decisions and is now pushing the Senate chamber toward one of the most extreme restrictions possible,” said NCDP spokesperson Kate Frauenfelder. “While Democrats are united in protecting reproductive freedom in North Carolina, Robinson and Republicans in Raleigh have their sights set on taking it away.”

Robinson supports banning abortion “in all cases” and called for imposing “dire consequences” on abortion providers. He said that when a woman becomes pregnant “it’s not (her) body anymore.”