This week marks the first time Republicans will hold a federal trifecta since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned the federal right to an abortion.
For some conservatives, it also marks a new start.
While Democrats made abortion rights their top campaign issue in 2024, Republican messaging largely sidestepped addressing federal action related to abortion. President Donald Trump has called to put the issue to bed on the federal level — an ask that advocates on either side of the abortion debate don’t take at face value.
Abortion rights advocates expect Trump to quickly begin issuing executive orders related to abortion, pointing to a similar timeline in 2017. Abortion opponents view Trump’s second term as an opportunity to revive federal enthusiasm on a longtime social issue and undo regulations implemented under the Biden administration.
“We’re hoping there will be executive orders handed down by the president and memorandums of various kinds. He is a pro-life president, and a very strong one,” said Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., who co-chairs the House Pro-Life Caucus. “There’s a reappraisal going on in the country, and I do think the sanctity of life over time will win. This is the most important human rights issue of our time to say that a child before birth is persona non grata.” […]
— Read More: rollcall.com
