Dianne Feinstein on abortion: California senator suggests a 15-week fetus isn't a human being

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., indicated that she doesn't believe a fetus could be considered a "human being" at 15 weeks old, the point at which Mississippi's controversial law attempts to ban abortions.

Fox News asked the senator on Tuesday whether she thought a "fetus at 15 weeks is a human being."

Feinstein responded: "Of course a human being is life, and you do not have life. And so, I think it's up to others other than me, but I basically believe that women should have the right within certain legal restraints to prevent those situations, which can be prevented – which can be very difficult."

"But I have been very steady and steadfast in supporting Roe. I believe in a woman's right to choose. I believe that women should be able to control their own bodies, and that's my belief."

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Feinstein's communications director, Tom Mentzer, told Fox News: "Her quote makes clear that she believes ‘a human being is life.’" He didn't clarify the rest of her comment and said it was Fox News' "interpretation" that she was saying a 15-week fetus wasn't a human being.

Feinstein's comments came just after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization last week. The case is expected to revisit whether states should be able to prohibit abortions prior to fetal viability.

Congressional Democrats are pushing legislation to codify Roe v. Wade and provide a backstop if the Supreme Court overturns that landmark decision.

But anti-abortion advocates have argued that scientific advances have shed light on the humanity of fetuses and justify more restrictions o... (Read more)

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