WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen entered one of the most politically charged U.S. debates Tuesday, saying the economy would suffer if the Supreme Court significantly limits women’s access to abortion.
Eliminating the right to access abortion services “would have very damaging effects on the economy and would set women back decades,” Yellen told lawmakers during a Senate Banking Committee hearing, responding to a question from Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey about the economic impact of an abortion ban.
Economic research, she added, suggested such a move would increase poverty levels for women and hurt the future earnings of children. The remarks were disputed by Republicans on the panel, who highlighted policies that can help single mothers and the drop in American birth rates that affects long-run growth.
