Democrats urge Kemp, Carr to clarify GA abortion law; Kemp responds

Democrats speak out against Georgia abortion law

A group of Georgia Democrats and others held a press conference on Thursday to speak out against Georgia's abortion law as part of the controversy surrounding the brain-dead pregnant woman being kept on life support until her child is born. Gov. Kemp issued a response after the press conference.

ATLANTA - Opponents of Georgia’s abortion law are calling on Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr to revisit the legislation, which they say is endangering the lives of women across the state.

Democratic lawmakers gathered at the Georgia State Capitol Thursday to demand action, following reports that a pregnant, brain-dead woman remains on life support in an Atlanta hospital without her family’s input on her medical care.

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What we know:

Adriana Smith’s family told an Atlanta news outlet that she is 22 weeks pregnant and remains on life support at Emory University Midtown. The 30-year-old nurse suffered a catastrophic medical event in mid-February that reportedly left her brain-dead. Smith’s mother shared the family’s emotional dilemma in a GoFundMe post, saying that the family had no say in her medical care due to Georgia’s heartbeat law.

What they're saying:

"Women deserve the ability to give informed consent and when they cannot, their families must be empowered to make decisions with full information and without fear," said Democratic state Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes at a press conference at Georgia's state capitol on Thursday.

Sen. Parkes was joined by Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II and reproductive rights advocates. Together, they called on Kemp and Carr to issue a formal legal opinion clarifying what the law permits in cases like Smith’s.

"What rights do women have under this law? Georgians have been asking this question. We as legislators have been asking this question, and the people standing here today have been asking this question. Yet Georgia's leadership has stayed silent," said Islam Parkes.

The other side:

Emory Health Care has declined to comment on Smith’s case, citing patient privacy. However, in a written statement, Attorney General Chris Carr said, "There is nothing in the Life Act that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death. Removing life support is not an action with the purpose to terminate."

Sen. Parkes and others argue that the law is too vague and leaves doctors and families in impossible situations.

"Georgia’s abortion law is dangerously vague and has created fear and confusion among medical professionals. And the buck stops with the governor. It's time for him to face the consequences of what he’s doing to real families," said Sen. Parkes.

A spokesperson for Gov. Kemp responded to FOX 5’s request for comment, stating, "Holding a partisan press conference does not change the fact that the AG’s office has already answered this question in the clearest possible terms. We would refer you back to their response."

What's next:

Democratic lawmakers say they plan to continue their efforts to repeal Georgia’s abortion law during the upcoming legislative session.

Watch the full press conference below