WASHINGTON — Sen. Lindsey Graham's national 15-week abortion ban would likely force many women to undergo invasive transvaginal ultrasounds before terminating pregnancies, according to doctors. Because violations of Graham's proposed 15-week ban would be punishable by up to five years in prison, doctors say the legislation would create a powerful incentive to perform transvaginal ultrasounds to make an age judgment. With Democrats in control of the House, Senate and White House, Graham’s bill stands no chance of advancing this year. Before he introduced his bill, Graham's effort was expected by some in the GOP to help Republicans reset the politics of abortion. For others, the details of Graham's ban are politically tricky, especially in states that have passed different abortion restrictions in recent years.

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