GOP debate tackles ‘Rich Men North of Richmond,’ Vivek's experience, Trump's indictments

Candidates disagree on the role federal government should play in regulating abortion

The Fox News moderators discussed the next steps for the abortion debate since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, pointing out that multiple state referenda have turned out poorly for the pro-life cause.

Nikki Haley championed the idea of “consensus” on the abortion issue, stressing that the federal government is not currently in a place to pass sweeping pro-life legislation, such as a national restriction on abortion after 15 weeks of gestation favored by Pence and others. 

“Can’t we all agree that we should ban late-term abortions? Can’t we all agree that we should encourage adoptions? Can’t we all agree that doctors and nurses who don’t believe in abortion shouldn’t have to perform them?” Haley said.

Pence quoted Jeremiah 1:5, which reads in part, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,” to justify his pro-life stance, and then took issue with Haley’s argument, saying that “consensus is the opposite of leadership.”

“It’s a moral issue,” Pence said. “And I promise as president of the United States, the American people will have a champion for life in the Oval Office.”

Haley replied by saying that it was not realistic to promise expansive pro-life measures at the federal level when the votes for such legislation in Congress are not there.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who signed a state-level six-week abortion ban, believed the federal government should not have an abortion ban, believing it should be up to the states.

Scott took issue with this reasoning, saying that to allow states to have laws that make elective abortion available up to the moment of birth was “immoral” and “unethical,” vowing to fight for a minimum national standard of a 15-week abortion ban.