On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, two Republican 2024 presidential hopefuls, Mike Pence and Chris Christie, shared their views on abortion. Pence, who is also a former Vice President and presidential candidate, described the landmark decision as “a historic victory” that condemned Roe v. Wade to “the ash heap of history.” Earlier this week, Pence called for all GOP candidates to commit to a nationwide ban on abortion after 15 weeks.
Pence Advocates for a National 15-Week Limit and Kindness
Despite his call for tighter restrictions on abortion, Pence also emphasized the importance of compassion. He stated that “with 62 million unborn lives lost, and just about as many women who have endured the two generations under abortion, I think we need to bring a message of grace, we need to bring a message of kindness.” Pence believes that this approach will help win hearts and minds, and that the issue of abortion is a winning one for Republicans.
Pence also said that a national 15-week limit would bring American law in line with most European countries that ban abortion after 12 to 15 weeks. However, a recent national NBC News poll found that 6-in-10 voters remain opposed to the Supreme Court removing the national right to abortion, with nearly 80% of female voters ages 18-49, two-thirds of suburban women, 60% of independents, and a third of Republican voters who disapprove.
Pence Supports Senator Tommy Tuberville’s Military Promotion Holdup
Pence also expressed support for Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville’s efforts to hold up military promotions due to Defense Department policies on abortion, including a recent decision to reimburse costs for service members who travel to other states to obtain an abortion. Pence believes that the federal government should not be subsidizing abortion directly or indirectly, including through the Pentagon.
Christie Opposes a Federal Abortion Ban Without National Consensus
In contrast to Pence’s views, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who recently announced his bid for president, opposes the concept of a federal abortion ban until a “national consensus” develops on the issue. Christie believes that abortion is not a federal issue, but rather a state issue, and that each state should be able to make its own decision. He hopes that with each of the 50 states and their people deciding on the issue, a national consensus will develop. Christie is open to the federal government confirming a national consensus if it develops.
On the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Republican presidential hopefuls Mike Pence and Chris Christie shared their views on abortion. While Pence called for a nationwide ban on abortion after 15 weeks, he also emphasized the importance of kindness and compassion. He also expressed support for Senator Tommy Tuberville’s military promotion holdup due to Defense Department policies on abortion. In contrast, Christie opposes a federal abortion ban until a national consensus develops, believing that each state should be able to make its own decision.
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