Senate Republicans are crafting a new strategy for providing clarity on abortion debates ahead of the 2024 election cycle after confronting new data on the negative connotations of the “pro-life” movement.
In a closed-door meeting of Republican senators this week hosted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), data from the nonprofit organization One Nation found that most voters support abortion restrictions within the 12-15 weeks gestational window with exceptions for rape and incest, while only few support complete bans on the controversial procedure.
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The survey analyzed responses from more than 2,500 voters nationwide, collecting in-depth data from six focus groups in Iowa, Ohio, and Montana.
The study also found that 41% of Republican women overall disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, with 24% of Republican women identifying as “pro-choice” and 32% identifying as neither “pro-choice” or “pro-life.” Opposition against the overturning of Roe was very strong among suburban female voters, where Republicans lost ground during the 2022 midterm elections.
Strategists are certain that changing the language used to discuss abortion will be essential heading into the next election season.
“Many voters think [‘pro-life’] means you’re for no exceptions in favor of abortion ever, ever, and ‘pro-choice’ now can mean any number of things,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said in a summary of the meeting, adding that candidates “need to be specific” on what they mean when they discuss policy solutions on abortion.
“You can’t get away with a label anymore,” said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). “[Y]ou have to dive in and talk to people about very specifically where you are on that subject if you’re running for public office.”
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Anti-abortion organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has been demanding clarity on abortion policy from presidential candidates for 2024, saying that lacking a well-articulated vision will cost elections.
“Those who offered the clearest contrast pointed out the Democrats’ agenda of imposing abortion on demand until birth in every state, nationwide,” SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said, following the first GOP debate in August. “Going on offense is essential for any candidate who wants to win in 2024.”
