Some Republicans unhappy with RNC's abortion platform
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Former President Donald Trump meets with Republican Senators. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Some Republican senators are not happy about the Republican National Committee's decision to leave a national abortion ban off of the party platform for the first time in 40 years.
Why it matters: Abortion is one of the most contentious and vulnerable issues for Republicans this election cycle. They've suffered a string of losses at the ballot box since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.
- "The RNC platform is a profound disappointment to the millions of pro-life Republicans that have always looked to the Republican Party to stand for life," former Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement Tuesday.
- "It has a lot of potential to hurt us," Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told Axios about the move.
Catch up quick: The RNC platform committee adopted new Trump-backed party priorities, which for the first time in four decades did not include a national ban on abortion.
- It's a major shift for the party, which has been trying to find a way to soften a political blow at the polls driven by reproductive rights issues.
- Republican leaders have said abortion laws should be left to the states, and touted support for in vitro fertilization and contraception access.
Zoom in: "It's the one issue that could divide the Trump base from President Trump," Cramer said over text. "Right now Republicans have enthusiasm for our nominee when the Democrats clearly do not for theirs."
- "I liked the way it was previously," Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said.
- "We've had it for 40 years, I didn't see a problem with it," Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said when asked if he wished the platform had kept the traditional abortion ban language.
- "I was surprised because it's been such an important part of our party's platform and what we stand for for a long time," Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) told Axios.
The other side: Other Republicans were less willing to criticize the decision, but pivoted or deflected when asked about it directly — emphasizing their support for life or the platform more broadly.
- Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has been a leading GOP voice and legislator on reproductive rights. She told Axios she had not looked at the platform yet, but saw it had support from anti-abortion groups, adding she is "proud to be pro life."
- "This will be up to the platform committee. I remain committed to life. And I make no apologies for that," Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said, though she said she expects Americans to be "very receptive" to the platform.
- "I think it's something that I can live with," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said of the abortion change.
- Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is supportive, and said the abortion language and platform overall "is clearly reflective of the President and the position there."
The bottom line: The change to the GOP platform is the latest example of Republicans attempting to soften their political image on abortion after decades of work to overturn Roe.
- The fallout reveals the split in the party over how best to do that.
