Planned Parenthood Votes Statement on GOP Presidential Debate

WASHINGTON, DC — Shwetika Baijal, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Votes, released the following statement in response to the abortion discussion during tonight’s GOP presidential debate:

“Voters know that every GOP candidate running for president would sign a national abortion ban if given the opportunity. Some, like Mike Pence, are proudly boasting about their plan to ban abortion nationwide. Because they know banning abortion is unpopular, others are trying to hide their true agenda and downplay their goals to restrict access to abortion however they can. Despite their desperate attempts tonight, we know their records and we know the truth.”

Since some candidates want to hide the ball, here’s a reminder on their anti-abortion records and words:

Nikki Haley:

In May, when reporters asked Haley if she would sign a federal abortion ban if it got through Congress she said, “Yes, of course I would sign it.”
As governor of South Carolina, Haley signed an abortion ban with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest into law and vetoed funding for rape crisis centers.

Ron DeSantis:

In April, during the middle of the night, DeSantis signed a law banning abortion after six weeks, which is before many people even know they’re pregnant.
Last month he told voters in Iowa “I will be a pro-life president. So, I mean of course, I want to sign pro-life legislation.”

Tim Scott:

In April, Scott said he “absolutely” agrees with a six-week ban. “If I were president of the United States, I would literally sign the most conservative pro-life legislation that they can get through Congress.”
When asked about a six-week abortion ban in South Carolina, he called it “good news” and a “step in the right direction.”
- He later tried to walk that comment back when it made national headlines.

Doug Burgum:

Borgum signed one of the strictest abortion bans in the country — a ban that criminalizes providers and has no exceptions for rape or incest after six weeks.

Yesterday, Planned Parenthood Votes launched its first paid ad of the 2024 cycle, Receipts, featuring a compilation of clips from GOP presidential candidates talking about their support for a national abortion ban. Read more about the ad here.

According to a recent CNN poll, abortion rights will continue to be a defining issue in 2024 and the overwhelming majority of Americans support it.

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Planned Parenthood Votes is an independent expenditure political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission