RNC delegates embrace Trump’s abortion platform shakeup

July 17, 2024

Delegates to the Republican National Convention have thrown their support behind the decision to remove a national abortion ban from their platform and to leave abortion legislation to the states.

Axios reports that, for the first time in 40 years, the GOP platform will not include a plank seeking a national level ban on abortion. This represents a significant shift for the party after working for decades to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Alabama delegate Robin Rowan told Axios that “some people are upset” by the change in abortion policy, “but we’re in a new era, where it’s been brought back down to the states.”

The move reflects a position strongly supported by former president Trump, which allows states to decide abortion laws within their borders. Some delegates from blue states like Michigan and New York say they are staunchly pro-life but believe it’s important to allow states to make their own policies.

The Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade two years ago breathed life back into the concept of federalism where the states lead out on such matters rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all national policy.

Washington state delegate Brenda Milewski said, “Bring it down at the state level, that is the beautiful place to be, because now the state is taking care of their people based on the culture.”

Photo: top, Credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images