Republican presidential candidates squared off during Wednesday’s night debate over the federal government’s role in abortion policy.
While all of the candidates passionately defended their pro-life bona fides, they split over whether, in the wake of Dobbs, the issue should be left to the states or should be decided at the federal level with a 15-week abortion ban.
“I’m not pro-life because the Republican Party tells me to be, but because my husband was adopted, and I had trouble having both of my children. I’m surrounded by blessings,” former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley said.
“Having said that, we need to stop demonizing this issue. This is talking about the fact that unelected justices didn’t need to decide something this personal: because it’s personal for every woman and man. Now it’s been put in the hands of the People.”
“When it comes to a federal ban, let’s be honest with the American people and say it will take 60 Senate votes; it will take a majority of the House. So in order to do that, let’s find consensus,” she added.
“And can’t we all agree that we are not gonna put a woman in jail or give her the death penalty if she gets an abortion?”
Haley’s comments drew the condemnation of former vice-president Mike Pence, who affirmed his support for a 15-week ban if elected president.
“I’m not new to this cause after I gave my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior,” Donald Trump’s former running mate said in response. “And I knew from that moment on the cause of life had to be my cause. I’ve been a champion for life in the Congress, a champion for life as governor and as vice president.”
“To be honest with you, Nikki – you’re my friend – but consensus is the opposite of leadership. When the Supreme Court returned this question to the American people, they didn’t just send it to the states-only: it’s not a ‘states-only’ issue.”
“It’s a moral issue.”
Pence went on to cite a poll reportedly showing that the overwhelming majority of the American public supported a 15-week ban and that backing such a move was no longer uncontroversial.
“A 15-week ban is an idea whose time has come. It’s supported by 70% of the American people. But it’s going to take unapologetic leadership that stands on principle and expresses compassion for women in crisis pregnancies.”
Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, pushed back, dismissing Pence’s comments as unrealistic and misleading. “When you’re talking about a federal ban, be honest with the American people. We haven’t had 45 pro-life senators in over 100 years. So no Republican president can ban abortions, any more than a Democrat president could ban all those state laws.”
“Don’t make women feel like they have to decide on this issue when you know we don’t have 60 senate votes in the house,” Haley continued. “You have to be honest with the American people.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis, standing at the center of the debate stage in Milwaukee, Wis., gave a non-committal answer, insisting: “I’m gonna stand on the side of life” without clearly stating whether he backs or opposes a federal ban.
“Look, I understand Wisconsin is going to do it different than Texas. I understand Iowa and New Hampshire are going to do different, but I will support the cause of life as governor and as president,” DeSantis added.
North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, whose participation at Wednesday’s debate was earlier put into question following an injury sustained on Tuesday night, agreed. “What is going to work in New York is never going to work in North Dakota and vice versa,” the governor, who signed a 6-week abortion ban in April, said matter-of-factly.
The exchange came after Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser demanded greater “clarity” among Republican presidential contenders in defending a 15-week ban. “There’s a lot of clearing of throats,” Dannenfelser said prior to the debate.
So far, only Pence, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, and Senator Tim Scott (R., S.C.) have publicly affirmed their support for a 15-week federal ban if elected. “We can’t leave it to Illinois, we can’t leave it to Minnesota, we can’t leave it to Illinois. We must solve that issue with a 15-week limit, at a minimum,” Scott said.