Article Summary –
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initially supported abortion access at any point of pregnancy but later expressed support for restrictions based on how many weeks pregnant a person is. He stated that abortion should be legal up until a fetus is viable outside the womb, aligning with the Roe v. Wade decision. Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, and adviser Angela Stanton King clarified that the campaign does not support late-term abortion.
Independent Candidate Kennedy’s Flip-Flop on Abortion Access in the 2024 Elections
Abortion access, a central issue in the 2024 election, is creating ambiguity for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy oscillates between supporting a federal law ensuring abortion access and endorsing laws restricting abortion based on pregnancy duration.
In a May 8 interview with “The Sage Steele Show” podcast, Kennedy expressed doubt about government jurisdiction over individuals’ bodies. When asked about state-led decision-making on abortion, Kennedy asserted it should be left to women, not the government.
Kennedy backpedaled on May 10, tweeting his support for abortions up to a certain gestational age, mirroring the restrictions in the Roe v. Wade case.
KFF, a nonpartisan health policy group, reports that only 1% of all abortions occur after 21 weeks of pregnancy. A University of California, San Francisco, study cites barriers to abortion, economic struggles, and late-diagnosed fetal health issues as reasons for third-trimester abortions.
Since Roe v. Wade’s repeal in June 2022, five Texan women have sued their state, alleging denial of crucial medical care and endangerment due to Texas’ abortion laws.
Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s running partner, was caught off guard when questioned about his abortion stance on Steele’s podcast. She conceded to NBC News her understanding that Kennedy believes in abortion restrictions.
Shanahan voiced her opinion on abortion in April, expressing discomfort with external control over her body but also reluctance to terminate a viable life inside her.
Angela Stanton King, Kennedy’s advisor, tweeted on May 10 that the campaign won’t support “late-term abortion” after Kennedy’s conflicting remarks.
Kennedy reiterated on “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast” on May 16 that his stand on abortion hasn’t changed, citing a shift in his perception of late-stage elective abortions.
Dr. Gillian Dean, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, clarified in an interview that there is no such thing as abortion until birth or “late-term abortion”. She emphasized that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be patient-centric and handled by their physicians.
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