Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) said the federal and state governments both have a role in deciding abortion policy after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
DeSantis said in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, his first since announcing his campaign for president on Twitter earlier that night, that he was concerned about a Democratic administration and Congress “trying to nationalize ” abortion across the country.
He said the court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe, properly returned the issue of abortion to the elected representatives of the people.
“Dobbs brought back the issue of elected representatives of the people, and that’s why I think there’s a role for the federal [government] and state,” he said.
DeSantis said the anti-abortion movement has had “huge successes” at the local level, but federal legislation to protect abortion rights would infringe on the rights of states like Florida to establish their own. restriction.
DeSantis signed the six-week abortion ban last month. The law is currently inactive while the state Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a 15-week ban that DeSantis signed into law last year.
“I think that’s an abuse of power for them to try to defeat every single pro-life protection in this country,” he said.
DeSantis said there is a “practical reality” that the country is divided on the issue of abortion access.
“Some of it is a matter of strategy. Some of it is a matter of what you can do to advance the ball forward,” he said.
Several other major Republican presidential candidates are also weighing what their abortion policy proposals would be if elected president.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday that she would sign a federal abortion ban into law if she receives legislation calling for one as president, but she said she doesn’t expect one to come along. of the 60 votes it gets. must advance to the Senate.
He said Dobbs has returned the issue to the states, “where it belongs.”
Former President Trump has emphasized his own role in appointing the three justices who cast the court’s deciding votes to overturn Roe, but he has avoided whether he would sign an abortion ban.
On several occasions, the former president called for exceptions to the ban on abortion in cases of rape and incest and to protect the life of the mother.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.
