Pro-life Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania stated Tuesday that he would support codification of legal abortion into law through the passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Washington Post reports.

Casey, the son of the namesake Robert P. Casey, the governor or Pennsylvania named in the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision that upheld abortion rights, had previously been strongly anti-choice in his campaigns, but said the situation regarding the legal status of abortion had changed since the House passed the WHPA three months ago.

“In light of the leaked Supreme Court decision draft overturning Roe v. Wade, and subsequent reports that Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate will introduce legislation to enact a nationwide six-week ban, the real question of the moment is: do you support a categorical ban on abortion?” Casey said in a statement. “During my time in public office, I have never voted for — nor do I support — such a ban.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he would push the WHPA bill to receive a vote to open debate, a move that will likely not get the 60 votes need to continue debate.  The move will push every Senator to go one record prior to the mid-terms, a move Democrats believe will energize voters to vote out anti-choice candidates.

Why Republicans don’t wish to have their views on abortion aired in a floor debate is one of abject cowardice, given that more than 70% of Americans favor legalized abortion rights in some form, about 60% favoring maintaining Roe as is.