Pence calls on EVERY Republican candidate to support a 15-week nationwide abortion ban
Former Vice President Mike Pence called on every 2024 Republican nominee to support a nationwide 15-week abortion ban as former President Donald Trump has waffled on the issue.
Pence appeared Friday morning at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference in Washington, an annual gathering of Christian conservatives who should be the type of voter the ex-veep could attract — but showed only lukewarm support for his presidential bid.
Pointing out that he was speaking on the eve of the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling, Pence argued that while “some people blame the overthrow of Roe v. Wade for election losses in 2022,” the Republican Party should move on to go.
“So I want to say from my heart that every Republican presidential candidate should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum national standard,” Pence said.
Trump has reportedly privately blamed the abortion issue for the Republicans’ underperformance in the 2022 midterm elections, saying on CNN last month that he would “negotiate so people are happy,” declining to say whether he would reverse a federal ban. supports.
Former Vice President Mike Pence called on every 2024 Republican nominee to support a 15-week national abortion ban as former President Donald Trump has waffled on the issue
On the other hand, Pence was happy to take credit for Roe’s downfall.
“After a lifetime in the movement, you can probably imagine what a privilege it was for me to play a small part in the government that appointed three of the judges, to join that majority and bring the issue of abortion back to the states and the American people. ,” Pence said at the Washington Hilton.
He applauded the “memorable birthday” but said there was more work to be done.
“The battle for life is far from over,” said the former vice president. “We’re not at the end of our case yet.”
“Some you will hear on this podium will say that the Supreme Court has returned the issue of abortion to the states alone and nothing should be done at the federal level. Others will say continuing the fight for life and producing state legislation is too harsh,” Pence said.
He then noted how “some” believe Roe’s demise was responsible for the predicted Republican “red wave” turning into a minor splash — as the party failed to recapture the Senate, though the House flipped, but with a much smaller than expected majority.
“Well, let me say from my heart, the cause of life is the calling of our time and we must not rest and not yield until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in this country ‘ said Pence. said.
Pence said President Joe Biden and the Democrats should be held accountable for their “extreme stance” on abortion.
“Democrats support on-demand abortion up to the point of birth and taxpayer funding of abortion and they must be held accountable,” Pence said. “We must support efforts in state homes across the country to protect the unborn, support women facing crisis pregnancies with new and renewed resources.”
Pence suggested that the US should get more in line with European countries – not China and North Korea – on abortion, although European countries that restrict abortions after 12 weeks generally allow women to terminate pregnancies to a myriad of reasons, including their mental well-being and socio-economic circumstances.
Most GOP-approved bans only include exceptions for maternal health, rape, and incest — if any.
During his performance, Pence praised his work alongside Trump, drawing applause.
“Thank you for the privilege of being your vice president, it was the greatest honor. And I will always be grateful for what President Donald Trump has done for this country. It was a privilege to serve at his side,” Pence said.
“The president and I have had our differences and we still have them, but elections are about the future,” also noted.
Pence and Trump fell out when the then vice president refused to aid in the ex-president’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Pence went ahead and confirmed Biden’s victory on January 6, in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol.
Trump announced in mid-November that he would run for the White House again.
Pence announced his own offer earlier this month.
“I believe different times call for different leadership,” Pence told the audience Friday.
The statement was met with silence.
At other times when he mentioned his presidential bid, the conservative audience responded with scattered applause.