In a recent tweet, former White House press secretary turned MSNBC host Jen Psaki claimed that “no one” supports abortion up until birth. However, this statement is not only risible but also incorrect. Psaki and other Democrats have a history of supporting legislation that allows for abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy. This is why they struggle to answer questions about what abortion restrictions they would support.
Psaki’s claim ignores the fact that Section 4 of the House bill HR 8286, which was supported by Democrats, prohibited any state prohibition of abortion prior to viability but allowed for prohibition after viability unless there was a “risk to the pregnant patient’s life or health.”[0] While this provision is not extensive, it does show that there are some restrictions on late-term abortions that Democrats would support.[1]
It is important to challenge Psaki on her statement and ask her what point in a woman’s pregnancy she believes abortion should be prohibited.[2] If she truly believes that “no one” supports abortion up until birth, then she should be able to articulate at what point she believes it should be banned.
During the recent GOP presidential debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared a story about a woman named Penny who survived multiple abortion attempts.[3] However, it is important to note that DeSantis failed to mention that the person who tried to end Penny’s life in the womb was not a doctor or illegal abortion provider but her own father.[4] This occurred almost two decades before the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which established a woman’s right to an abortion.[4]
The “Penny” referenced by DeSantis appears to be an anti-abortion activist from Michigan, not Florida, who has claimed to be born at 23 weeks after her parents decided to have an abortion.[5] However, her story has never been fact-checked and lacks verifiable details.[6] Nevertheless, her story has been used to support so-called “Born Alive” bills in state legislatures and Congress.[5]
Psaki dismissed DeSantis’ claims about Democrats supporting late-term abortions as false.[3] She argued that no Democrat, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, or Nancy Pelosi, supports late-term abortions.[7] However, her statement overlooks the fact that there is significant support within the Democratic Party for unrestricted access to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
DeSantis, who has signed one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country, doubled down on his anti-abortion agenda during the debate.[8] He emphasized that Democrats should be held accountable for their support of late-term abortions and that the Republican Party is better than what the Democrats are selling.
It is clear that there is a significant divide between the Democratic and Republican parties when it comes to abortion. Democrats have a history of supporting unrestricted access to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy, while Republicans advocate for greater restrictions and protections for unborn babies. This issue will continue to be a contentious topic in future elections and debates.
0. “Jen Psaki Claims, ‘No One Supports Abortion Up Until Birth.’ She’s Wrong.” Daily Citizen, 24 Aug. 2023, https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/jen-psaki-claims-no-one-supports-abortion-up-until-birth-shes-wrong/
1. “Jen Psaki Is Wrong That ‘No One’ Supports Abortion Until Birth” The Federalist, 24 Aug. 2023, https://thefederalist.com/2023/08/24/jen-psaki-says-no-one-supports-abortion-until-birth-but-she-and-other-democrats-support-exactly-that
2. “RFK Jr. Abortion Comment Highlights Unseen Fissures Within Democrat Party” AMAC Official Website – Join and Explore the Benefits, 29 Aug. 2023, https://amac.us/newsline/society/rfk-jr-abortion-comment-highlights-unseen-fissures-within-democrat-party
3. “DeSantis makes bizarre claims that woman named Penny was aborted ‘multiple times'” The Independent, 24 Aug. 2023, https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/desantis-penny-abortion-republican-debate-b2398442.html
4. “DeSantis said at debate a woman survived ‘multiple abortion attempts.’ Here’s the real story” Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2023, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article278586634.html
5. “Ron DeSantis’ Stance on Abortion Summed Up With One Bonkers Anecdote” The Mary Sue, 25 Aug. 2023, https://www.themarysue.com/ron-desantis-stance-on-abortion-summed-up-with-one-bonkers-anecdote/
6. “Asked About Abortion, Ron DeSantis Tells Bizarre Story About a Fetus in a Pan” Jezebel, 24 Aug. 2023, https://jezebel.com/asked-about-abortion-ron-desantis-tells-bizarre-story-1850768981
7. “Jen Psaki Admits Dems Want To Legalize Abortions Until Birth” The Federalist, 28 Aug. 2023, https://thefederalist.com/2023/08/28/jen-psaki-admits-democrats-everywhere-want-to-legalize-abortions-until-birth/
8. “Ron DeSantis Team Doubles Down on His Support for National Abortion Ban” Democrats.org, 24 Aug. 2023, https://democrats.org/news/ron-desantis-team-doubles-down-on-his-support-for-national-abortion-ban/
