Trump Shifts Abortion Stance: Advocates States’ Rights Over National Ban
TL/DR –
Donald Trump has released a video suggesting abortion laws should be decided by state legislatures, not Congress, representing a shift from his previous support for a nationwide 16-week ban. He faced criticism from an anti-abortion group and support from the pro-choice camp, which questioned the sincerity of his statement. The former president also voiced his support for exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the pregnant individual, and expressed his backing for in-vitro fertilization treatments.
Trump Shifts Abortion Stand; Advocates State Legislatures’ Intervention
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has changed his stance on abortion laws. In a video message, he advocated for state legislatures to decide on abortion issues, rather than Congress. However, his viewpoint was met with criticism from a renowned anti-abortion group, which argued that the topic should remain a national debate.
Trump shared his revised viewpoint in a video on social media, stating, “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote, or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land.” He also said he supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the pregnant patient.
His latest video marks a departure from previous statements on the campaign trail, where he backed a 16-week nationwide abortion ban. This change of stance could be seen as an attempt to appeal to centrist Republicans and swing voters, especially women.
States’ Stance on Abortion
Voters in Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio have recently supported ballot questions bolstering abortion access. Additionally, Arizona and Florida are predicted to put abortion access questions on the upcoming November ballot.
In response to Trump’s revised viewpoint, President Joe Biden expressed concern about the impact on women’s access to reproductive health care, stating, “Women are being turned away from emergency rooms, forced to go to court to seek permission for the medical attention they need, and left to travel hundreds of miles for health care.”
Reactions from Anti-Abortion Organizations and Pro-Choice Advocates
Anti-abortion organizations and pro-choice advocates have voiced their concerns about Trump’s revised stance. Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, expressed disappointment, arguing that the issue should remain a national debate. Meanwhile, Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju doubted Trump’s sincerity, accusing him of spreading disinformation about abortion to garner votes.
Trump’s Role in the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that established the constitutional right to abortion. The conservative justices concluded that the authority to regulate abortion was returned to the people and their elected representatives, including Congress. Trump thanked the conservative justices for the judgment, stating that he was “proudly the person who was responsible” for the ruling.
Trump’s Support for IVF Treatments
Trump also expressed his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. He stated, “That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments, like IVF, in every state in America.” He thanked Alabama legislators for enacting protections for IVF clinics so they could resume treatments after the state’s Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children.
However, Republican Senators have blocked two bills that would have addressed access to IVF, following questions about the process in Alabama. Mississippi’s Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked a bill that would have implemented nationwide protections for IVF patients and healthcare providers. Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford blocked legislation that would have expanded fertility treatment access for military members and veterans.
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News