JD Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, said that the Republican Party must do better in order to “earn back the trust of the American people” when it comes to abortion. “They don’t really trust us.”
The Big Picture: In response to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s attacks on Tim Walz, the Republican vice presidential nominee sought to adopt a more compassionate tone in relation to abortion. Tim Walz attacked Tim Walz, calling for a public policy that would “give women options” so that they could afford to have children and care for them.
- He said, “I want the Republican Party to be pro-family in every sense of the term.” “I want to see us support fertility treatment.” I want to help moms afford to have children.
- He said, “We can become a large and diverse nation where we respect the freedom of conscience of people and make our country more pro-family and pro-baby.”
Zoom out: Vance said during the debate he had never supported a ban on abortions at all.
Reality Check: He supported Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Republican senator from South Carolina, proposed a bill that would ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks.
- Vance now adopts former President Trump’s current abortion policy, leaving it to the states.
What’s being said: Vance seemed to claim that Minnesota’s abortion law, Walz’s home state allows infants to die if they survive an abortion.
- Vance stated that “the statute you signed into law says that a physician who presided over an abortion in which the baby survived, the doctor has no obligation to provide lifesaving care to a child who survives a botched abortion late in the pregnancy.”
- Walz replied: “Women’s health care decisions are theirs to make, and physicians know when to do this.”
- He said that Vance “is trying to distort how a law is drafted to make a point.” It’s not the case at all.”
Between The Lines: Minnesota’s abortion protections don’t include a gestational limitation on abortion. This means that the procedure can be performed at any stage of pregnancy.
- A different law signed by Walz changed the requirement that medical staff “preserve” the life of an infant born alive following an abortion attempt to state that they should instead “care” for that infant.
- Supporters of the law say that, while Republicans claim the law allows for babies to die on their own, it is intended to allow doctors and families to avoid medical intervention when a baby has a fatal birth complication.
- Recent state data suggest that abortions in the third trimester are rare. In 2022 there was only one third-trimester termination, at 32 weeks. Advocates say that these are usually prompted by serious medical issues.
- According to the CDC, abortions occurring at or after the 21-week mark represent less than 1% of all abortions performed in the U.S. The majority of abortions occur at or before 13 weeks.
Zoom in: Trump stated during the debate on his Truth Social Platform that he would not veto an abortion ban at the federal level.
- He claimed that he would not enact a law banning abortions “because we have what everyone wanted” during the recent presidential debate.
Flashback Trump praises Roe v. Wade
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include additional information about Minnesota laws related to abortion. It was also corrected to reflect that JD Vance was referring to a separate Minnesota law that addresses what happens to a baby that survives an abortion. Torey van Oot, an Axios reporter, contributed to this article.
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