Abortion rights groups are seizing on a split in the Republican Party highlighted Wednesday, after House leadership made a last-minute retreat and pulled a bill to ban late-term abortions.
The head of Planned Parenthood Action Fund said the GOP’s reversal on the abortion bill is proof that the issue — crucial to conservatives — is losing ground.
{mosads}“This should be an important message to politicians,” Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, wrote in a statement. “These attacks are so dangerous, extreme, and unpopular that House Republicans can’t even get their membership lined up behind them.”
“The GOP drafted a bill so extreme and so out of touch with the voters that even their own membership could not support,” NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue said in a statement.
The House bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy drew criticism because of language allowing an exception for rape and incest only if the victim reported the crime to the police.
Women’s groups were also quick to call attention to the GOP’s move to pull the bill, which was driven by the revolt of several centrist and female Republicans.
“Besides demonstrating a woeful lack of understanding about sexual assault and women’s reproductive health needs, the 20-week ban was justified by a tissue of lies,” a statement from the National Organization for Women read.
“NOW calls on House leaders to stop perpetuating myths and inventing false reasons to justify attacks on women’s reproductive healthcare.”
The House is expected to vote Thursday on another bill that would ban the use of federal funds for abortions.