The Republican Party is dropping language advocating for federal abortion limits from its official party platform, marking a major change for the GOP despite pushback from antiabortion groups not to soften its stance ahead of the 2024 elections.
A proposal put before the Republican National Committee’s platform panel passed in a 84-18 vote Monday. The new language would establish that the GOP opposes late-term abortion but stops short of calling for any constitutional amendments or a national ban on the procedure, a source familiar confirmed to the Washington Examiner. Additionally, the platform establishes support for “mothers and policies that advance prenatal care, access to birth control, and IVF (fertility treatments),” according to the draft text.
The language change happened just in time for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week where delegates will formally nominate former President Donald Trump, who has taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade through his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices, while also saying saying abortion decisions should now be left up to states.
The changes come despite pleas from antiabortion groups urging Trump to “make clear that you do not intend to weaken the pro-life plank,” according to a letter sent to his campaign last month by 10 of the country’s top antiabortion groups, according to the New York Times. Those groups include organizations such as Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, and Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America.
Trump has urged GOP lawmakers to go on the offensive when it comes to abortion. In a closed-door meeting with House Republicans last month, Trump unveiled a strategy to hammer Democrats on abortion and to frame the opposite party as being too “radical,” a lawmaker told the Washington Examiner.
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The platform also comes as Trump has said he would not sign a federal abortion ban, arguing the matter should be left to the individual states which have taken various steps to block or expand abortion access in the aftermath of Roe being overturned.
The RNC platform also includes changes to language on key issues such as immigration, same-sex marriage, trade, and election integrity, according to the Washington Post. Other proposals include “ending” the Department of Education, fighting the so-called weaponization of the Justice Department, and protecting Social Security and Medicare from any spending cuts.