Trump Opposes Florida Abortion Amendment Amid Controversy
Voting No on Florida Abortion Amendment
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would vote against an amendment in his home state of Florida. This amendment, known as the Florida Abortion Amendment, aims to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution and seeks to overturn the current six-week abortion ban. The amendment has been met with strong opposition from anti-abortion groups that support Trump’s campaign in the upcoming Nov. 5 election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump clarified his stance during an interview with Fox News, a day after causing confusion when he seemed to suggest to NBC News that he might vote in favor of the amendment. Clarifying his position, Trump stated, “I think six weeks, you need more time than six weeks,” adding that he found the proposed amendment too permissive. “So I’ll be voting no for that reason,” he concluded, emphasizing that individual states should decide the issue.
Harris Responds with Strong Rebuttal
In response, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump, accusing him of boasting about his role in overturning constitutional protections for abortion and vowing to support a ban “so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant.” Harris pledged that, if elected, she would sign a bill to restore reproductive freedom. “The choice in this election is clear,” she declared in a statement.
Abortion Rights Take Center Stage
The issue of abortion has become a key battleground ahead of the election, with pro-abortion rights contributions surging since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In a related development, IVF fertility treatments, a medical procedure that helps women conceive, have also gained attention after an Alabama court ruled that frozen embryos are people. The state’s governor subsequently signed a law aimed at protecting the therapy, sparking further debate in the context of women’s reproductive rights.
Trump’s IVF Comments Dismissed by Democrats
On Thursday, Trump proposed that, if elected, he would require the government or insurance companies to cover the costs of IVF fertility treatments. However, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, dismissed this offer as implausible. Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in Bethesda, Walz questioned the credibility of Trump’s proposal, highlighting the controversy and differing opinions on this issue. “Look, women don’t trust them. They don’t trust women, so why the hell would women trust them? No one’s believing that,” he remarked to an audience of about 150 campaign contributors.
Personal Stakes for the Walz Family
Gwen Walz, who introduced her husband at the event, shared her connection to the issue of fertility treatments, having used them to conceive their two children. “If Trump had his way, I would never have become a mom,” she stated, accusing Trump of attempting to make decisions for women that should be left to them.
Polls Show Erosion of Support Among Women Voters
Recent opinion polls indicate that Trump has lost ground with women voters since Harris became the Democratic candidate. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Thursday showed Harris leading Trump by 49% to 36% among women voters, a 13-point lead compared to the 9-point advantage she held in July.
As the election nears, the debate over abortion rights and women’s healthcare is expected to remain a central issue, influencing the decisions of many voters.