A prominent anti-abortion organization, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, condemned Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for not endorsing a national ban on abortion.
The criticism comes as DeSantis seeks the GOP nomination for president, and the organization argued that pro-life voters deserve a leader who will boldly advocate for a 15-week abortion ban.
The SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, expressed disappointment with DeSantis’ recent interview where he declined to support a national abortion ban. Dannenfelser emphasized the need for a pro-life president who would protect all Americans’ lives and be a strong advocate for the cause. She asserted that DeSantis’ dismissal of this duty is unacceptable to pro-life voters.
DeSantis’ campaign, however, labeled the criticism unjustified, stating that Ron DeSantis has a track record of acting to protect life, including signing a heartbeat bill in Florida.
The controversy arose from a recent interview in which journalist Megyn Kelly asked Ron DeSantis about supporting a national abortion ban. While DeSantis signed a bill in Florida banning abortions at six weeks of pregnancy, he suggested that the issue should be left to individual states to decide. He clarified that he is pro-life but is focused on pursuing achievable goals.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, a 50-year-old ruling that established a federal right to abortion, has ignited a national debate over abortion rights. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has made it clear that it will only support White House candidates in 2024 who endorse a 15-week federal abortion ban.
The Democrats see the Supreme Court’s decision and the Republican efforts to restrict abortion rights as factors that have motivated voters to favor more liberal candidates. In the 2022 elections, abortion rights were on the ballot in six states, and voters in each contest chose to protect them. Wisconsin, a battleground state, saw a victory for a liberal candidate who campaigned heavily on abortion rights in an April election for a seat on the state’s highest court.
What Does America Want?
A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that a majority of U.S. adults support legal abortion, at least during the initial stages of pregnancy. About two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should generally be legal, while a smaller percentage say it should always be legal or illegal.
The criticism comes at a crucial time for DeSantis, who is considered the top rival to former President Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination. However, DeSantis has been trailing far behind Trump in public polling. His campaign is now working to improve its trajectory and has recently made staff changes.
The SBA Pro-Life America has also criticized former President Trump in the past for not endorsing the 15-week federal abortion ban. Trump, on the other hand, has defended his position, highlighting his role in appointing Supreme Court justices who facilitated the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Some other Republican contenders seeking the nomination support a national abortion ban. Former Vice President Mike Pence, for instance, endorses a ban at six weeks of pregnancy. He believes abortion should only be permitted in cases where the pregnancy is not viable, even when doctors determine there is no chance for the baby to survive outside the womb.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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