Senate Republicans fleeing the Alabama Abortion Law

Senate Republicans are striving to distance themselves from Alabama's harsh new law that prohibits almost all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest, and provides for a sentence of go up to 99 years in prison for anyone executing the procedure.

Most GOP senators do their best to stay away from the firestorm, arguing that it is an issue that affects all states and does not involve Congress.

But the controversial law will undoubtedly fuel the debate on abortion as the 2020 elections draw near.

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsCollins votes against Trump's legal choice Trump launches ambitious offer to reform immigration laws Progressive group targets Susan Collins on Trump's judicial choice MORE (Maine), to be re-elected next year in a Democratic presidential candidate state Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonFranchised GOP Senators Want Trump Answers on Iran Progressive Target Group Susan Collins on Trump's Judicial Selection Poll: Biden Leads Trump Double-Digit in Pennsylvania MORE won in 2016, takes the lead in criticizing Alabama's status as being "very extreme" and a "terrible law".

"I am very opposed to the law of Alabama," Collins told The Hill. "I think this is totally inconsistent with Roe v. Wade and will lead to a virtual ban on abortions in Alabama, even for the victims of incest and rape."

"I can not imagine that a judge could find this consistent with previous case law," she told CNN in a separate interview.

Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiSchumer: Trump officials should testify this week on Iran US secure energy supply chains – ahead of China This week: the House will vote on a bill to ban discrimination against women LGBTQ PLUS (Alaska), another moderate Republican leader, declined to comment on the law in Alabama as she headed for a luncheon meeting on Thursday.

When she was in a hurry as she was heading to the Senate for the final vote of the week, Ms. Murkowski told reporters that she did not agree with the absence of exception for victims of rape or incest.

"I think you know where I'm coming from. I believe that there must be exceptions, "she said.

Leader of the minority Kevin McCarthyEconomic director Kevin Owen McCarthyBush said the psychiatrists called Trump "total narcissist" while GOP launched an anti-BDS petition. (R-Calif.) Expressed the same concern.

"I believe in the exceptions for rape, incest and mother's life, and that's what I voted on," McCarthy told reporters at a conference press release, pointing out that such exceptions were included in the GOP platform.

"It goes further than I think, yes," he said of the strict law.

The ban on abortions, even in case of rape or incest, left Republicans the frightening specter of a repetition of the 2012 elections, when the GOP candidates' comments on the subject cost them what they thought to be safe races.

Former Indiana treasurer, Richard Mourdock, missed his chance to win the Indiana Senate race in 2012 stating, "I think even when life begins in this horrible situation of rape, it is something that God had planned.

Mourdock's comments became a highlight of the elections and, according to the GOP strategists at the time, they affected the other races.

This memory was still fresh in the minds of some Senate Republicans on Thursday.

"When Mr. Mourdock insolently said that it was the" will of God "- do you remember it? – In a debate, there was a crisis of voice and voice," Sen said. Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerHillicon Valley: Law Enforcement Bill Would Condemn Credit Agencies for Penalty | Facebook's Sandberg Meets Senators on Privacy | Baltimore hit by ransomware attack | Facebook's chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, meets Senators on privacy protection Faced with tough choices for broadband in rural areas, scientists ask NSA news (R-Miss.).

Wicker however stressed: "I am very pro-life."

"We will see what the courts do," he added, referring to the Alabama law.

Sen. Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbySenate will vote next week on a disaster assistance bill, the Dems cabinet is proposing billions of dollars in additional funding for environmental programs that Trump has sought to prevent senators from getting closer to the country. 39 Disaster Assistance Agreement MOREThe Senegalese Republican senator from Alabama has also distanced himself from the uncompromising law of his state.

"I'm not down," he said Thursday. "All I know is what I read."

Shelby has instead expressed support for the Hyde amendment, which bans the use of federal funds to pay for abortions, except when the mother's life is in danger or in case of rape and death. 39; incest.

"I have always supported the Hyde amendment," he said.

When asked if it meant that he supported the exceptions in case of rape and incest, Shelby replied in the affirmative.

Senate Republicans in recent months have pushed two bills, one sponsored by Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham: Kasich advisor signs up to pressure Hillicon Valley sanctions against Russia: Trump signs order to protect US networks against Chinese technologies | Huawei decreases its order | Trump refuses to join his efforts against extremism online | Facebook restricts live streaming | FCC Offers New Tool Against Automated Calls Frustrated GOP Senators Want Trump Answers About Iran MORE (R-S.C.) Who would protect fetuses after 20 weeks of pregnancy – the child protection law not likely to be born – and able to withstand the pain – and a second, sponsored by Sen. Ben SasseBenjamin (Ben) Eric SasseHillicon Valley: Trump Signs Order to Protect US Networks from Chinese Technology | Huawei decreases its order | Trump refuses to join his efforts against extremism online | Facebook restricts live streaming | FCC Proposes New Tool Against Automated Calls Huawei officials said they would "welcome" the ban on technology by the United States, which poses a risk to national security, warns Graham of 5G security threat from China MORE (R-Neb.) Who would protect infants born after a failed abortion, the law on the protection of survivors of the abortion born alive.

Both measures did not remove the procedural hurdles in the Senate.

The Alabama law goes further than both Senate bills by banning abortion at all stages of pregnancy and by not allowing exceptions for rape and sexual abuse. ;incest.

The ban on abortion imposed by Graham for 20 weeks would allow exceptions if the pregnancy results from rape and if the woman received medical treatment or advice before the abortion and if pregnancy results from rape or incest against a minor.

Other Republicans facing tough presidential elections in 2020 have dodged Alabama law issues.

Sen. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerFranchised GOP Senators Want Trump's Answers About Iran Graham: Trump Officials Do Not Give Sufficient Information About Iran Threat Parliament's Democracy Law Strikes Lawmakers Of The GOP Against the Trump tax law PLUS (R-Colo.), When approached, said he was late for a meeting and asked questions at his office. Aids to Gardner did not respond to a request for comment.

Gardner is one of two Republicans vying next year in a Clinton state worn in 2016.

Sen. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyMcSally to introduce bill to reform military system to fight sexual assault GOP members on Trump's tax law will try to convince UK government lawmakers to spend the night on the law. energy: states fight Obama's dismantling | Greens seek to be heard on proposed rule on energy efficiency testing | Top Dem asks GAO to investigate climate threat MORE (R-Ariz.), Another major target of Democrats in 2020, rejected the Alabama law as a state affair.

"It's a state problem," she said. "I am focused on my work here."

This remark has been criticized by Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, an advocacy group for abortion.

"Martha McSally is wrong. This is a coordinated attack across the country by the radical right and anyone who is part of the GOP and in a state that has similar laws that are introduced by lawmakers must have an answer to that She said.

"Martha McSally is a federal public servant and the federal government has always played a role in protecting its citizens," Hogue added.