The eight presidential candidates on the GOP debate stage in Milwaukee were torn on the issue of abortion.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley emphasized a practical approach to the controversial procedure, saying that "we need to stop demonizing the issue" to find consensus on banning late-term abortions, encouraging adoption, and protecting healthcare providers who have a contentious objection to the procedure.

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Former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) pushed back on Haley's pragmatism, both saying they support a federal minimum standard of blocking abortion after 15 weeks gestation.

Medical experts typically associate 15 weeks gestation with the ability of a fetus to feel pain.

"Consensus is the opposite of leadership," Pence said to Haley.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said that the abortion issue will "most likely" be addressed by states, but he interprets the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision as also giving the elected representatives in the federal government the ability to legislate on the controversial procedure.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) was unclear on the issue, saying he would support "a culture of life" but refusing to state a national limit explicitly.

Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) said that he would not support a national abortion limitation, including a ban on late-term abortion, citing the 10th Amendment, which gives all unenumerated powers to the states.

Haley got the last word in on the abortion debate, saying there has not been a majority of anti-abortion senators in decades.

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"Be honest with the American people," Haley said.

Neither businessman Vivek Ramaswamy nor former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spoke on abortion.