(BrightPress.org) – A small but vocal group on the right feels frustrated with the new Republican Party platform on abortion.
Anti-abortion groups largely supported former President Donald Trump’s platform on July 8th, but some prominent evangelicals criticized it for backpedaling on the GOP’s enduring promise to utilize the federal government in stopping abortion.
The 2024 Republican Party platform was drafted in secret and then quickly presented to delegates for approval on the morning of July 8th.
The platform language used by delegates did satisfy many anti-abortion advocates who think the federal government should be involved in setting abortion policy, referencing the 14th Amendment, which conservatives claim protects life beginning at conception. Six leading anti-abortion organizations signed a letter describing the new party platform as a collection of common-sense promises that will Make America Great Again. They said it reflected Trump’s commitment to protecting life and promoting the family.
After the platform’s adoption, Perkins sought support for a minority report. He and others argued it better reflects the party’s traditional stance on abortion. Their report advocates for the passage of the Human Life Amendment, which proposes amending the Constitution to state that life begins at conception and to establish legal protections for unborn babies, potentially overturning abortion rights in states controlled by Democrats.
Evangelical leaders, including Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, voiced their disappointment with the new platform.
Gayle Ruzicka, a platform committee member from Utah, said the RNC staff didn’t permit an open discussion on the language the platform adopted on abortion. She had planned to make an amendment, but they were not given the chance to read it before voting.
Sandye Kading, a platform committee member from South Dakota, called the meeting concise but criticized the process. Former Vice President Mike Pence also joined conservatives decrying the updated RNC platform. He called the new language a major upset to pro-life Republicans.
Copyright 2024, BrightPress.org
