Josh Riley, the Democratic challenger operating for Congress in New York’s nineteenth District, has a transparent message on abortion: “I consider that ladies’s well being care choices are girls’s well being care choices and that politicians ought to keep the hell out of it.”
And his Republican opponent, the incumbent Consultant Marc Molinaro, is saying almost the identical factor: “I consider well being care choices must be between a girl and her physician, not Washington.”
Throughout the nation’s best Home races, Republicans have spent months attempting to redefine themselves on abortion, going as far as to borrow language that may not really feel misplaced at a rally of Vice President Kamala Harris. Many Republicans who till just lately backed federal abortion restrictions are actually saying the difficulty must be left to the states.
Not less than a half-dozen Republican candidates have put out direct-to-camera adverts declaring their opposition to a federal abortion ban. As an alternative, they are saying, they assist exceptions to current state legal guidelines and again protections for reproductive well being care, resembling I.V.F.
Democrats have raised the potential of a nationwide abortion ban ought to Republicans win in November, and they’re framing the marketing campaign as one other referendum on the Supreme Court docket’s Dobbs choice, which overturned Roe v. Wade. They’re hoping to proceed their run of electoral successes for the reason that 2022 choice to win again management of the Home.
Any new federal laws on abortion must move each the Home and the Senate and be signed by the president to turn into legislation. However whichever get together emerges with a majority within the Home may have the flexibility to dictate the legislative agenda, together with whether or not measures to limit or develop abortion entry have the prospect to move.
Republicans in California and New York specifically, who’re operating in swing districts in blue states that favor abortion rights, have felt probably the most stress to deal with the difficulty straight. “If we don’t discuss concerning the concern, we turn into regardless of the Democrats say we’re,” mentioned Will Reinert, the press secretary for the Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee.
To raised perceive how abortion is taking part in a job in these campaigns, The New York Instances surveyed candidates from each events in probably the most aggressive Home races about their assist for federal limits on abortion. The Instances additionally checked out voting information, points listed on marketing campaign web sites, debate and media protection, and endorsements from main abortion rights and anti-abortion teams.
The Instances survey confirmed that whereas Republicans are notably centered on what they won’t do on abortion on the federal degree, their Democratic opponents are speaking about what they may do to guard abortion rights. Almost all of the Democratic candidates mentioned they supported restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade, which might permit entry to abortion till fetal viability, or round 24 weeks, in each state.
In assault adverts, Democrats are pointing to their opponents’ voting information or previous statements as proof of extremism — regardless of what they might be saying now.
Democratic candidates spotlight Republicans’ information on abortion in marketing campaign movies
Click on on any video within the grid to play it.
Josh Riley marketing campaign Democrat, N.Y. 19 Will Rollins marketing campaign Democrat, Calif. 41
Extra broadly, abortion rights teams mentioned Republicans are deceptive voters by claiming they don’t assist an outright abortion “ban,” once they would possibly assist a federal “restrict” or “commonplace,” such because the 15-week proposal put ahead by Senator Lindsey Graham in 2022.
“They’re taking part in round with the semantics; they’re clearly testing out totally different framing and messaging in an try and attempt to deceive voters as a result of they understand how politically unpopular their coverage stances are,” mentioned Jessica Arons, a director of coverage and authorities affairs on the American Civil Liberties Union.
Republicans within the Instances survey nearly universally declined to reply questions on gestational limits. Just one, Consultant Don Bacon of Nebraska, mentioned he supported a particular federal restrict, within the third trimester.
What Republican candidates are saying about abortion
“I don’t assist a federal abortion ban. The Dobbs choice determined this was a problem left to the states and that’s the place I consider coverage on the difficulty must be determined.”
David Valadao Republican, Calif. 22
“On the federal degree, I might solely assist laws to outlaw late-term abortion, with protections for the three exceptions. In any other case, states should vote on this concern.”
Don Bacon Republican, Neb. 2
“I’m pro-life, consider abortion stops a beating coronary heart, and oppose taxpayer funded abortion. For the reason that U.S. Supreme Court docket has returned this concern to the states, I cannot vote for a nationwide abortion ban.”
Gabe Evans Republican, Colo. 8
The Republican shift away from publicly supporting a federal ban follows the lead of former President Donald J. Trump, who has modified his personal language on the difficulty after seeing the electoral backlash to the Dobbs choice.
As just lately as 2021, a majority of Home Republicans — together with seven incumbents on this 12 months’s tossup races — co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, a invoice that may have amounted to a nationwide abortion ban. This 12 months, Consultant Scott Perry of Pennsylvania’s tenth District was the one incumbent in a aggressive race to remain on as a co-sponsor.
Two Republican incumbents who now say they oppose a nationwide ban — Representatives Ken Calvert and David Valadao in California — voted in favor of a 20-week ban that handed the Home in 2017. Consultant Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Iowa Republican, co-sponsored a 15-week ban on abortion in 2022. She didn’t reply to questions on whether or not she nonetheless helps it.
Different Republicans described themselves as personally “pro-life” however mentioned they accepted the abortion legal guidelines in place of their states. Rob Bresnahan Jr., a challenger in Pennsylvania’s eighth District, mentioned he supported the state’s present legislation, which permits abortion till 24 weeks.
Democrats, once they weren’t attacking Republicans, leaned into language about private freedom, with many within the survey saying the federal government shouldn’t be concerned in medical choices.
One other widespread chorus was that the choice to have an abortion must be “between a girl and her physician.” Two Democrats used comparable language somewhat than explicitly calling for federal abortion protections.
What Democratic candidates are saying about abortion
“Abortion is well being care. This isn’t a spot for presidency interference. I belief each particular person I do know and love, and any New Mexican to make that call for themselves.”
Gabe Vasquez Democrat, N.M. 2
“I’ve all the time believed that this choice must be left between a girl, her physician and inside her personal religion.”
Rudy Salas Democrat, Calif. 22
“I consider the selections a girl makes for her physique and her household are deeply private and politicians haven’t any place telling her what she will be able to and can’t do.”
Tony Vargas Democrat, Neb. 2
By showing to reasonable their stance on abortion, candidates have risked dropping the backing of outstanding advocacy teams. Solely three Republicans within the tossup races acquired an endorsement from Susan B. Anthony Professional-Life America, and 7 acquired one from Nationwide Proper to Life.
Two main abortion rights teams, against this, endorsed almost all of the Democratic candidates. Deliberate Parenthood — whose political motion fund is pouring $40 million into the marketing campaign — endorsed all however six candidates, whereas Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed all however 4.
Endorsements from main anti-abortion teams
Anderson
Va. 7
Va. 7
Bacon*
Neb. 2
Neb. 2
Buckhout
N.C. 1
N.C. 1
Begich
Alaska At-Massive
Alaska At-Massive
Ciscomani*
Ariz. 6
Ariz. 6
Miller-Meeks*
Iowa 1
Iowa 1
Nunn*
Iowa 3
Iowa 3
Perry*
Pa. 10
Pa. 10
Schweikert*
Ariz. 1
Ariz. 1
Barrett
Mich. 7
Mich. 7
Bresnahan Jr.
Pa. 8
Pa. 8
Calvert*
Calif. 41
Calif. 41
Chavez-DeRemer*
Ore. 5
Ore. 5
Coughlin
Ohio 13
Ohio 13
D’Esposito*
N.Y. 4
N.Y. 4
Duarte*
Calif. 13
Calif. 13
Evans
Colo. 8
Colo. 8
Garcia*
Calif. 27
Calif. 27
Herrell
N.M. 2
N.M. 2
Junge
Mich. 8
Mich. 8
Kean Jr.*
N.J. 7
N.J. 7
Kent
Wash. 3
Wash. 3
Lawler*
N.Y. 17
N.Y. 17
Mackenzie
Pa. 7
Pa. 7
Molinaro*
N.Y. 19
N.Y. 19
Metal*
Calif. 45
Calif. 45
Theriault
Maine 2
Maine 2
Valadao*
Calif. 22
Calif. 22 + SHOW MORE
Endorsements from main abortion rights teams
Altman
N.J. 7
N.J. 7
Baccam
Iowa 3
Iowa 3
Bohannan
Iowa 1
Iowa 1
Bynum
Ore. 5
Ore. 5
Caraveo*
Colo. 8
Colo. 8
Cartwright*
Pa. 8
Pa. 8
Davis*
N.C. 1
N.C. 1
Engel
Ariz. 6
Ariz. 6
Gillen
N.Y. 4
N.Y. 4
Gluesenkamp Perez*
Wash. 3
Wash. 3
Golden*
Maine 2
Maine 2
Grey
Calif. 13
Calif. 13
Hertel
Mich. 7
Mich. 7
Jones
N.Y. 17
N.Y. 17
McDonald Rivet
Mich. 8
Mich. 8
Peltola*
Alaska At-Massive
Alaska At-Massive
Riley
N.Y. 19
N.Y. 19
Rollins
Calif. 41
Calif. 41
Salas
Calif. 22
Calif. 22
Shah
Ariz. 1
Ariz. 1
Stelson
Pa. 10
Pa. 10
Sykes*
Ohio 13
Ohio 13
Tran
Calif. 45
Calif. 45
Vargas
Neb. 2
Neb. 2
Vasquez*
N.M. 2
N.M. 2
Vindman
Va. 7
Va. 7
Whitesides
Calif. 27
Calif. 27
Wild*
Pa. 7
Pa. 7 + SHOW MORE
Consultant Jared Golden, the Democratic incumbent in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District — an space Mr. Trump gained by six factors in 2020 — didn’t get Deliberate Parenthood’s endorsement this 12 months. He mentioned the explanation was his vote for the 2024 protection coverage invoice, which included an modification blocking reimbursement for abortion journey prices for service members.
Mr. Golden mentioned he was not involved concerning the lack of assist from the group, pointing as a substitute to his co-sponsorship of the Ladies’s Well being Safety Act, a invoice to revive the protections of Roe.
“I’m fairly assured that voters in Maine know the place I stand,” he mentioned.
Evaluate statements from Home candidates on abortion coverage
The New York Instances requested candidates and their campaigns about assist for a federal minimal commonplace on abortion. Statements have been flippantly edited for size and readability.
Dem. place
Rep. place
Alaska At‑Massive
Alaska At‑Massive
Mary Peltola*
No response to survey.
“Roe v. Wade set a precedent that was the legislation of the land for 50 years. She believes that commonplace was the appropriate one — moreover we all know the significance of getting robust exceptions for rape, incest, lifetime of mom and well being of mom all through.”
Nick Begich
No response to survey.
“Whereas I strongly assist efforts that defend the rights of these not but born, the courts have made it clear, abortion is a state concern and never a problem for the federal authorities to determine.”
Ariz. 1
Ariz. 1
Amish Shah
No response to survey.
“As a physician, I perceive that these private choices must be made by girls and their physicians. That’s why we have to codify Roe v. Wade and provides girls throughout the nation the appropriate to manage their very own our bodies and well being care.”
David Schweikert*
No response to survey.
“It’s fairly clear that it belongs to the states,” by way of Enterprise Insider.
Ariz. 6
Ariz. 6
Kirsten Engel
No response to survey.
“Defending girls’s reproductive freedoms on the federal degree shall be one in all my high priorities when elected to Congress. Ladies had these protections for over 50 years when Roe v. Wade was the legislation of the land, and that’s what I’ll advocate for us to return to.”
Juan Ciscomani*
No response to survey.
“I’m pro-life, I reject the extremes, and I belief girls. I’m towards a federal ban on abortion. I’m for timetables and exceptions, together with for rape, incest and the lifetime of the mom,” by way of marketing campaign web site.
Calif. 13
Calif. 13
Adam Grey
No response to survey.
“What I assist and can vote for is restoring Roe v. Wade into federal legislation so that ladies regain the federal rights that they had for generations.”
John Duarte*
No response to survey.
“Congressman Duarte opposes federal abortion restrictions.”
Calif. 22
Calif. 22
Rudy Salas
No response to survey.
“I’ve all the time believed that this choice must be left between a girl, her physician and inside her personal religion. Ladies ought to have the liberty to decide on what occurs with their very own our bodies and to find out their very own well being care.”
David Valadao*
No response to survey.
“I don’t assist a federal abortion ban. The Dobbs choice determined this was a problem left to the states and that’s the place I consider coverage on the difficulty must be determined.”
Calif. 27
Calif. 27
George Whitesides
No response to survey.
“I strongly assist a girl’s proper to make her personal well being care choices, and if elected to Congress, I’ll vote to codify Roe v. Wade to make sure reproductive freedom for all Individuals.”
Mike Garcia*
No response to survey.
“I oppose a nationwide abortion ban — California’s legislation on abortion stays the legislation — and I assist exceptions for rape, incest and lifetime of the mom.”
Calif. 41
Calif. 41
Will Rollins
No response to survey.
“I assist a federal minimal commonplace for abortion. In Congress, I’ll advocate for laws that restores Roe v. Wade, which prohibits states from banning abortions earlier than fetal viability. It’s crucial that we defend a girl’s proper to decide on nationwide.”
Ken Calvert*
No response to survey.
“Congressman Calvert doesn’t assist a federal abortion ban and helps the appropriate of Californians to find out this for themselves.”
Calif. 45
Calif. 45
Derek Tran
No response to survey.
“Derek Tran helps enshrining reproductive rights into legislation as California voters did by way of Proposition 1 in 2022.”
Michelle Metal*
No response to survey.
“Michelle’s place has all the time been, and stays, that this concern is finest left as much as the states, and she or he doesn’t assist a nationwide ban on abortion.”
Colo. 8
Colo. 8
Yadira Caraveo*
No response to survey.
“Rep. Caraveo believes we have to codify Roe v. Wade. This was the legislation of the land for many years, and for the reason that Dobbs choice, the lives of far too many ladies have been in danger.”
Gabe Evans
No response to survey.
“I’m pro-life, consider abortion stops a beating coronary heart, and oppose taxpayer-funded abortion. For the reason that U.S. Supreme Court docket has returned this concern to the states, I cannot vote for a nationwide abortion ban.”
Iowa 1
Iowa 1
Christina Bohannan
No response to survey.
“On Day 1 in Congress, I’ll work to codify Roe v. Wade and guarantee girls in Iowa and throughout the nation as soon as once more have the liberty to make their very own well being care choices.”
Mariannette Miller-Meeks*
No response to survey.
“The congresswoman has been clear that she is pro-life with the exceptions of rape, incest, and lifetime of the mom.”
Iowa 3
Iowa 3
Lanon Baccam
No response to survey.
“It’s extra necessary than ever to revive the protections of Roe v. Wade, and that’s why I’ll assist the Ladies’s Well being Safety Act in Congress. I consider girls’s well being care choices must be between her and her physician — not politicians.”
Zach Nunn*
No response to survey.
“He’s pro-life, however has voted for exceptions. He opposes a nationwide abortion ban.”
Maine 2
Maine 2
Jared Golden*
No response to survey.
“I’m a cosponsor of the Ladies’s Well being Safety Act, to revive Roe, and I might vote for it if it got here to the ground once more.”
Austin Theriault
No response to survey.
“Austin opposes and can vote towards a nationwide abortion ban.”
Mich. 7
Mich. 7
Curtis Hertel
No response to survey.
“When Roe was overturned and abortion rights got here underneath assault in our state, I labored throughout the aisle to do away with the 1931 abortion ban and fought to enshrine abortion rights in Michigan’s structure. I’m operating to make Roe the legislation of the land and defend reproductive freedom.”
Tom Barrett
No response to survey.
“Tom doesn’t assist a federal ban. He has persistently argued this can be a choice for the states and whereas he disagrees with Prop. 3, Michigan voters have made that call.”
Mich. 8
Mich. 8
Kristen McDonald Rivet
No response to survey.
“After Roe was overturned, I protected abortion rights in Michigan by serving to to repeal our state’s 1931 ban with out exceptions for rape or incest. In Congress, I’ll combat for a federal legislation restoring the Roe commonplace throughout America.”
Paul Junge
No response to survey.
“I might by no means and have by no means supported a nationwide abortion ban.”
Neb. 2
Neb. 2
Tony Vargas
No response to survey.
“I consider the selections a girl makes for her physique, and her household, are deeply private and politicians haven’t any place telling her what she will be able to and can’t do. In Congress, I’ll vote to codify the protections earned from the Roe v. Wade choice into federal legislation.”
Don Bacon*
No response to survey.
“I assist the Nebraska legislation that places an affordable three-month restriction on abortions with exceptions for rape, incest and the well being of the mom. On the federal degree, I might solely assist laws to outlaw late-term abortion, with protections for the three exceptions. In any other case, states should vote on this concern.”
N.M. 2
N.M. 2
Gabe Vasquez*
No response to survey.
“Abortion is well being care. This isn’t a spot for presidency interference. I belief each particular person I do know and love, and any New Mexican, to make that call for themselves.”
Yvette Herrell
No response to survey.
“Yvette has been clear that for the reason that Dobbs choice returned abortion coverage to the states, she doesn’t assist a federal ban.”
N.J. 7
N.J. 7
Sue Altman
No response to survey.
“Sue will work to guard entry to contraception, reproductive selection, and girls’s well being,” by way of marketing campaign web site.
Thomas Kean Jr.*
No response to survey.
“Tom is against a nationwide abortion ban. He has voted to guard entry to mifepristone and believes any laws must be left to the voters of every state to advocate for his or her positions to their legislatures.”
N.Y. 17
N.Y. 17
Mondaire Jones
No response to survey.
“We should enshrine protections for abortion into federal legislation.”
Mike Lawler*
No response to survey.
“He doesn’t and by no means will assist a nationwide abortion ban.”
N.Y. 19
N.Y. 19
Josh Riley
No response to survey.
“I consider that ladies’s well being care choices are girls’s well being care choices and that politicians ought to keep the hell out of it. In Congress, I’ll codify the appropriate to abortion because it existed underneath Roe v. Wade into legislation.”
Marc Molinaro*
No response to survey.
“I consider well being care choices must be between a girl and her physician, not Washington. I stored my promise to reject a nationwide abortion ban — preserving New York’s legal guidelines in place.”
N.Y. 4
N.Y. 4
Laura Gillen
No response to survey.
“The usual must be the identical because it was the day earlier than the disastrous Dobbs choice. It labored for a half a century, and we must always return to it.”
Anthony D’Esposito*
No response to survey.
“Congressman D’Esposito doesn’t assist a nationwide abortion ban and believes legislating on abortion ought to fall underneath the purview of state governments.”
N.C. 1
N.C. 1
Don Davis*
No response to survey.
“Congress should take motion and codify Roe v. Wade. He firmly believes {that a} girl’s well being choices ought to stay non-public between her and her physician,” by way of marketing campaign web site.
Laurie Buckhout
No response to survey.
“As the one candidate to be endorsed by the pro-life SBA (Susan B. Anthony) Checklist, I consider each life is treasured and would vote to protect life, together with the mom’s,” by way of The Perquimans Weekly.
Ohio 13
Ohio 13
Emilia Sykes*
No response to survey.
“Congresswoman Sykes has a powerful document of supporting the protections supplied underneath Roe that give girls throughout the nation the appropriate to make choices about what’s finest for his or her our bodies.”
Kevin Coughlin
No response to survey.
“Points associated to abortion are finest left to the states, and there must be no federal ban.”
Ore. 5
Ore. 5
Janelle Bynum
No response to survey.
“Rep. Bynum helps codifying Roe v. Wade into federal legislation so that ladies throughout the nation can have these rights again. It is a choice that must be stored between a girl and her medical doctors.”
Lori Chavez-DeRemer*
No response to survey.
“The congresswoman doesn’t assist any federal commonplace limiting Oregonians’ entry to abortion.”
Pa. 7
Pa. 7
Susan Wild*
No response to survey.
“I’ve all the time believed that personal medical choices, together with whether or not or to not obtain abortion care, must be made by a girl, her physician, her accomplice and her religion if she so chooses.”
Ryan Mackenzie
No response to survey.
“He’s against a nationwide abortion ban; he helps exceptions for rape, incest, and lifetime of the mom.”
Pa. 8
Pa. 8
Matt Cartwright*
No response to survey.
“I strongly assist the Ladies’s Well being Safety Act, which might restore Roe’s protections into federal legislation. We should always belief girls with their well being care choices, not politicians.”
Rob Bresnahan Jr.
No response to survey.
“Rob Bresnahan doesn’t assist a nationwide abortion ban and does assist the present Pennsylvania protections of 24 weeks and exceptions for rape, incest, and the lifetime of the mom. ”
Pa. 10
Pa. 10
Janelle Stelson
No response to survey.
“I feel these most intimate well being care choices must be made by girls and their medical doctors … If elected, I’ll put these choices again within the arms of girls, the place they belong.”
Scott Perry*
No response to survey.
“Scott Perry believes firmly within the sanctity of Life — interval. He makes exceptions for circumstances that contain rape, incest and hazard to the lifetime of the mom,” by way of marketing campaign web site.
Va. 7
Va. 7
Eugene Vindman
No response to survey.
“In Congress, I’ll combat to ensure that the rights of girls and women in Virginia are by no means depending on politicians in Richmond or Washington by voting to revive the protections of Roe nationwide.”
Derrick Anderson
No response to survey.
“Derrick opposes and would vote towards a nationwide abortion ban.”
Wash. 3
Wash. 3
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez*
No response to survey.
“Marie is an authentic co-sponsor of the Ladies’s Well being Safety Act and helps codifying the abortion protections of Roe v. Wade in federal legislation, in addition to guaranteeing girls have continued entry to contraception and I.V.F.”
Joe Kent
No response to survey.
“Following the Supreme Court docket choice that made abortion a state concern, Joe Kent opposes any new federal laws on the difficulty.”
Methodology
The New York Instances survey requested candidates or their campaigns two questions: 1) Do you assist any federal minimal commonplace on abortion? 2) In that case, till what number of weeks in being pregnant (i.e. 6 weeks, 15 weeks, viability, and so forth.)?
These surveyed have been major-party candidates for the U.S. Home of Representatives whose races have been rated “tossups” by the Prepare dinner Political Report at any level in October 2024. Alaska’s at-large congressional district contains 4 candidates and shall be determined by ranked-choice voting; the 2 candidates who acquired probably the most votes within the major have been included within the survey. All however six candidates responded to emailed requests for remark. In these circumstances, place summaries have been taken from marketing campaign web sites or from different public statements.
Observe: Counts of candidate statements within the high graphic have been taken from survey responses solely.
Extra work by June Kim.