Anti-abortion groups support RNC platform despite reduced language

Anti-abortion groups are backing the Republican Party’s official 2024 platform after previously warning former President Trump’s campaign against weakening language on abortion.

The groups praised some of the specific language regarding the 14th Amendment approved Monday by a Republican National Committee (RNC) panel after spending months lobbying against it.

The platform’s language echoes Trump’s approach of leaving it up to the states. It does not call for granting constitutional rights to embryos or fetuses, nor does it support a national ban on abortion.

Leading anti-abortion advocates have previously argued that weakening the platform would represent an abandonment of all the progress the movement has made in limiting access to the procedure and risk a split within the party when it should be united.

The Republican Party platform has long condemned abortion and expressed support for a national ban. This year marked the first time the party updated its platform since Roe v. Wade. Wade was overruled, and anti-abortion advocates were eager to make their mark.

In 2016, the platform supported “a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the protections of the Fourteenth Amendment apply to children before birth.”

It included language opposing any public funding to perform or promote abortion or to fund organizations like Planned Parenthood.

It also called for a national ban on abortion – with some exceptions – after around 20 weeks of pregnancy.

But in an apparent nod to the Trump campaign’s desire not to limit itself to endorsing specific limits, the new platform says instead that states are “free to pass laws” that protect 14th Amendment rights.

“After 51 years, because of us, this power was handed over to the States and the vote of the People. We will oppose late-term abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that promote prenatal care, access to birth control and in vitro fertilization (fertility treatments),” the platform states.

Anti-abortion groups have said the language of the 14th Amendment is critical, despite the state-centric approach.

“It is important that the Republican Party today reaffirm its commitment to protecting the lives of the unborn through the 14th Amendment. According to this amendment, it is Congress who enacts and enforces its provisions. The Republican Party remains strongly pro-life at the national level,” Susan B. Anthony, Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.

Last week, Dannenfelser warned that moderating the 2016 language “would be a miscalculation that would undermine party unity and destroy pro-life enthusiasm leading up to the election.”

Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins said the explicit nod to 14th Amendment protections is “the most significant contribution the GOP platform makes to life.”

Hawkins said that because the platform was so state-focused, she wants Trump to urge voters to reject state ballot measures for abortion rights, “starting in Florida, where he will visit tomorrow.”

John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life, in a statement noted that the Republican platform “has historically championed the rights of preborn children and we are happy to see that this election cycle will be no different.”

He said his group worked closely with the RNC on developing the platform’s language to reflect the post-Roe world.

“We remain passionate about the need to focus on winning hearts and minds on the issue of abortion in the states, while also uplifting women and families with a federal policy that makes having and raising children an easier equation in our current economic and inflationary situation. ,” Mize said.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story