GOP Fighting over Abortion Policy and Messaging ahead of Midterms

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee approved one of the nation's strictest abortion laws in July of last year, prohibiting abortion once a fetal heartbeat is found at about six weeks, which is typically before a woman learns she is pregnant.
Image credit: EPA

There is growing evidence that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is harming the GOP in the run-up to the midterm elections, and Republicans are fighting over abortion policy and messaging in light of this.

The number of Republicans in Congress who favor abortion rights is decreasing, and the majority of Republicans voted to repeal Roe v. Wade. However, Republican legislators differ on the best course of action, and many believe that legislation requesting tight restrictions regarding abortion policy will simply make their issues worse, The Hill reported.

This week’s introduction of legislation to outlaw abortions beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy with the exception of cases of rape, incest, and mother’s life has exposed divisions within the party on the subject.

Approximately 50 days before the midterm elections, several party members would like to focus the national discourse on skyrocketing inflation and a potential recession as opposed to abortion restrictions.

Despite having backed a 15-week ban in Nebraska, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said that the federal bill was receiving criticism for diverting attention from economic matters, a position where Republicans have had some success.

“The average family has had a pay raise of 4%, but yet inflation for food is, like, 13%. That’s what we should be talking about. So that’s probably the main pushback,” Bacon said.

Due to the 60-vote requirement in the Senate to end a filibuster, it seems doubtful that any significant anti-abortion legislation would pass in the upcoming Congress.

The GOP’s attempt to refocus attention on Democrats and portray them as holding extremist views on abortion is a key component of their response to Roe v. Wade’s demise.

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