EXCLUSIVE — Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) is giving fellow Republicans some advice on how to beat their Democratic opponents on the topic of abortion.
The Iowa Republican, who describes herself as “unapologetically pro-life,” managed to improve her 2020 margin of victory in her 2022 reelection campaign when the foretold red wave did not materialize after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Republican stances on abortion have come under scrutiny after recent election losses, putting some candidates in precarious positions before the 2024 elections.
However, Hinson does not think the party should stop discussing the matter. Instead, she believes Republicans need to lean into what she called a “culture of life.” That means supporting a variety of policy initiatives aimed at supporting mothers and families, as well as opposing abortion. The congresswoman noted that she has always supported exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother being endangered, while also wanting to save “as many lives as possible.”
But while championing this “culture of life,” candidates also need to “contrast that with the culture of death that the Democrats are continuing to propagate.” Hinson said Republicans need to highlight that the Democratic Party is “extreme on this issue.”
“None of them will support any other option other than a pro-abortion agenda,” she said. “And I think it’s important for candidates across the country to call them out on that.”
On Thursday, the House passed two anti-abortion bills, one of which Hinson introduced. The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act passed the House by a party-line vote, 212-207, with no Republican or Democratic defectors to the other side. The congresswoman said she could not understand why none of her Democratic colleagues would support her bill, which would allow pregnant women in college to be informed of their non-abortion options.
“They won’t even support legislation that would empower women to choose life and continue their education at the same time,” she said. “I think it’s just sad how extreme the Democrats have gotten on this issue.”
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Hinson’s bill passed just in time for the annual March for Life in Washington, which took place Friday. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) attended the march and addressed the crowd, which sent a “really strong” message, Hinson said.
“It’s really, really important that we send a strong message to the American people that we do value this,” she added.
