Staff Reports
Senator J.D. Vance, a champion of conservative values and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, made it clear over the weekend that any return to the White House for Trump would spell bad news for Planned Parenthood. According to Vance, the Trump administration would not only continue but also ramp up efforts to defund the organization and its taxpayer-supported late-term abortion practices. It seems the days of Americans unwittingly financing the abortion industry might be numbered if Trump gets back into office.
In discussions with Real Clear Politics, Vance emphasized that the message from the Trump campaign has remained steadfast: the federal government should not be in the business of funding abortions, particularly those occurring late in pregnancy. This is in line with the principles echoed during Trump’s first term and will continue to resonate as the campaign gears up for 2024. The senator’s remarks also reflect a broader conservative strategy to leave decisions about abortion to individual states, a shift brought about by the landmark Dobbs decision in 2022, which sent shockwaves through the pro-abortion establishment.
Vance reiterates Trump administration would defund Planned Parenthood https://t.co/aulpmmpZI0
— Devin (@DevinsAmerica) October 7, 2024
During his first tenure in office, Trump made strides to cut off federal funds to Planned Parenthood by changing the rules surrounding Title X funding, effectively saying money can’t fund abortion services under his watch. This move, based on the Hyde Amendment, faced legal obstacles but showcased a clear intent to confront the status quo. Many conservative Americans are ready for a president who prioritizes their beliefs over the wishes of a vocal minority.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Vice President Kamala Harris is gearing up for a battle. Her campaign claims she will fiercely protect what they call “women’s access to healthcare and reproductive freedom,” a euphemism that many conservatives simply define as abortion on demand. Harris, who has racked up endorsements from abortion advocates, is working hard to reframe the narrative and make her stance on abortion a pivotal issue for the 2024 election cycle, while simultaneously trying to distract from the glaring failures of the current administration.
Despite her attempts to elevate abortion to the forefront of the campaign, the Trump camp is being strategic. They aim to pivot the focus to matters such as border security and inflation—issues that Americans are feeling acutely in their day-to-day lives. As the Trump campaign directs energy toward these pressing concerns, it’s clear they are placing their bets on the kitchen table issues that resonate with the average voter, keeping abortion as a significant but secondary topic on the agenda.
While Harris may have made history as the first sitting vice president to visit an abortion clinic, it seems less like a bold stand for women’s rights and more like playing a losing hand. With Trump’s potential return to power, conservatives are optimistic that the rights of the unborn and fiscal responsibility will take precedence in any discussions about federal funding.
