Republican candidates lay out abortion platforms while campaigning in Iowa
As presidential candidates crisscross Iowa, they're also staking out their stances on abortion. The issue has become a dominant theme on the campaign trail as candidates set them selves apart from their Republican opponents.
As presidential candidates crisscross Iowa, they're also staking out their stances on abortion. The issue has become a dominant theme on the campaign trail as candidates set them selves apart from their Republican opponents.
As presidential candidates crisscross Iowa, they're also staking out their stances on abortion. The issue has become a dominant theme on the campaign trail as candidates set them selves apart from their Republican opponents.
As Republican candidates crisscross Iowa pitching themselves as presidential material, they're also staking out their stances on abortion.
The issue has become a dominant theme on the campaign trail, with candidates fielding questions on their abortion platform from reporters and Iowa Republicans.
Several presidential hopefuls and potential candidates touted their pro-life record last Saturday at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event in Clive.
Presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor took the stage, telling the Iowa crowd that, "As governor, I was proud we became the most pro-life state in the nation."
While governor of Arkansas, Hutchinson signed a statewide abortion ban into law, with an exception to save the life of the mother. But as president, Hutchinson says he does not support federal limits on abortion access.
"As president, I would believe that the states should determine the issue on abortion," Hutchinson said in an interview with KCCI Chief Political Reporter Amanda Rooker. "That's what I've said. That's what I fought for for 30 years, trying to overturn Roe v. Wade. The state should determine that issue."
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, another official presidential candidate, also tells KCCI he sees abortion as a states-only issue.
"The constitutionally principled position is that this is an issue for the states. At the state level, I'm staunchly pro-life," Ramaswamy said.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has also made his stance clear, telling reporters in Clive last Saturday that federal abortion limits like a 15-week abortion ban "ought to be a part and parcel of the debate."
"I don't agree with the former president who says this is a state's only issue," Pence said. "I mean, we've been given a new beginning for life in this country. I think we have an opportunity to advance the sanctity of life and move it ever closer to the center of American law."
Former President Donald Trump did not attend the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event, but spoke virtually. Although he touted his role in appointing Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe v. Wade, he did not specify his stance on whether Congress or the president should take action on abortion.
A campaign spokesperson for former president Donald Trump told The Washington Post earlier this month that Trump believes abortion policy should be left to individual states to decide.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott told Rooker he "would be happy to sign the most conservative pro-life legislation" that could get through Congress, but would not specify what type of legislation that would be.
"I've already supported the 20-week pain-capable legislation. I've certainly already stated that I would support a 15-week abortion limit," Scott said. "I believe that what we have to do is win the hearts and minds of the American people so that we have a chance to have the most conservative pro-life legislation signed into law.
Scott officially launched a presidential exploratory committee earlier this month.
