Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence engaged in a heated exchange on abortion during the first Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.
Haley was asked about abortion being a losing issue politically for the GOP since the Supreme Court ended the federal right to the procedure in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in June 2022.
Haley said, "We need to stop demonizing the issue," and she called for a consensus among federal lawmakers regarding abortion because the odds of Congress passing a federal ban are long given it takes 60 votes in the Senate to end a filibuster.
"Can't we all agree that we should ban late-term abortions?" said Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration. "Can't we all agree that we should encourage adoptions? Can't we all agreed that doctors and nurses who don't believe in abortions shouldn't have to perform them?
"Can't we agree that contraception should be available? Can't we all agree that we are not going to put a woman in jail or give her the death penalty if she gets an abortion?"
After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answered a question about him signing legislation in his state restricting abortions after six weeks, Pence called out Haley's argument about building a consensus in Congress.
"To be honest with you, Nikki is my friend," Pence said, looking at Haley. "But consensus is the opposite of leadership. When the Supreme Court returned this question to the American people, they didn't just send it to the states only. It's not a states-only issue. It's a moral issue.
"I promise you as president of the United States, the American people will have a champion for life in the oval office.
"Can't we have a minimum standard in every state in the nation that says when a baby is capable of feeling pain and abortion cannot be allowed? A 15-week band is an idea whose time has come. It is supported by 70% of the American people.
"It will take unapologetic leadership, leadership that stands on principal and expresses compassion. I will do that as president of the United States."
Haley responded by saying, "It is in the hands of the people and that is where it should be."
"When you are talking about a federal ban, be honest with the American people," she said, looking at Pence.
"I am being honest," Pence said.
"There were 45 pro-life senators in over 45 years," Haley responded. "No Republican president can ban abortions any more than a Democratic president can ban all those state [abortion] laws. Don't make women feel like they have to decide on this issue when you know we don't have 60 Senate votes [or a majority] in the House."
Pence, shaking his head, interrupted Haley, saying, "70%" of Americans "support legislation to ban abortions after a baby is capable of experiencing pain. It's just going to take leadership."
Before Pence was finished, Haley cut in, "But 70% of the Senate does not. You have to be honest with the American people."
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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