COLUMBIA, South Carolina – The issue of abortion has returned to the forefront of discussion among Republicans vying for their party’s 2024 presidential nomination. With the Supreme Court having overturned the federal right to abortion over a year ago, the candidates are divided over whether there should be a national ban on the practice and the timeline for implementing it.
Leading the pack is former President Donald Trump, who has avoided taking a definitive stance on abortion, despite the Republican base celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision. In April, Trump’s position drew criticism from the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group, which stated that his belief in leaving abortion restrictions up to individual states is morally indefensible for a self-proclaimed pro-life candidate.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, another contender, has passed an abortion ban after six weeks of pregnancy in his state but believes that individual states should decide the issue. He has faced criticism from anti-abortion groups, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, for not supporting a national ban.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has vocally supported a federal ban on abortion at six weeks, even advocating for the removal of one of the two widely used abortion pills from the market. However, no other major candidate has joined him in embracing such extreme measures.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina has expressed opposition to abortion and pledged to sign conservative pro-life legislation as president. He supports a federal ban on abortion as early as 12 weeks and promotes a bill, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham, that would ban abortions after 15 weeks nationwide.
Nikki Haley, the only woman in the Republican field, has pledged to sign a federal abortion ban if elected president. However, she has not specified a time frame for when abortions should be outlawed and has emphasized the need for consensus on the issue.
Other candidates, such as biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, have argued that the issue of abortion should be left to the states. Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder also opposes abortion but does not support a federal ban.
On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden supports abortion access and has vowed to veto any national ban on the practice. During his campaign, Biden indicated a shift in his stance on abortion restrictions, distancing himself from his previous support of the 1976 Hyde Amendment.
The abortion debate will take center stage during the first GOP campaign debate in Milwaukee this week. As the candidates seek to differentiate themselves on this divisive issue, their positions will play a significant role in shaping the Republican Party’s stance on abortion leading up to the 2024 election.
