U.S. Election: Abortion right at the center of the political battle

How abortion policy shapes the electoral debate

  Articoli (Articles)
  Caterina De Rosa
  19 October 2024
  5 minutes, 5 seconds


Translated by Valeria D’Alessandro


2024 American presidential election is taking place amid intense polarization, with abortion rights emerging as one of the most controversial and divisive issues. As voters prepare to express their preferences, the debate between candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is growing more intense than ever.

Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision, legalized abortion nationwide, establishing it as a constitutional right. This right was fundamentally challenged in June 2022, when the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson returned the authority over abortion laws to individual states. This decision had a significant impact, allowing several states to adopt more restrictive abortion policies across various regions of the country

Donald Trump and the Republicans: a “pro-life” stance

Former President Donald Trump, now running in the 2024 election, supported the Supreme Cort’s 2022 decision on abortion, having nominated three conservative justices - Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh e Amy Coney Barrett – whose contributions were crucial to the ruling. Trump has described himself as the “most pro-life president” in American history, stating that “the Supreme Court gave a new chance to life.”

The organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which supports Trump’s campaign, has repeatedly affirmed that “protecting the right to life of unborn children is one of the greatest moral challenges of our time”. The Republican Party grounds its stance on abortion in religious principles and receives support from various religious groups, such as the National Association of Evangelicals, which considers aborts a moral injustice and a violation of human dignity.

The impact of anti-abortion policies

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, around 14 States made abortion illegal in 2023. In other States where it remains a constitutional right, the number of clinics offering abortion services has drastically decreased. These restrictions have made abortion access much harder for lower income women who cannot afford to travel to other states for medical care. 

Furthermore, the ability of each state to set its own abortion laws has created significant confusion and uncertainty. In Texas, Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), which took effect in September 2021, bans abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy – before many women even know they are pregnant. The law also allows private citizens to sue anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion, offering a minimum reward of $10,000 for each successful lawsuit. This legal uncertainty affects public health and has contributed to an increase in maternal mortality due to delays in accessing care and complication arising from these delays. 

While supporters of the pro-life movement argue that abortion not only ends a potential life but also carries moral and psychological implications for women, Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party candidate, has openly criticized Trump’s approach to abortion. At a campaign event in Atlanta, Harris shared the story of Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-years old woman from Georgia who died after doctors allegedly refused to provide care for complication linked to a medical-induced abortion.

Kamala Harris and the democrats: abortion rights as human right

Kamala Harris positions herself as an advocate for women, arguing that restriction on abortion violate fundamental human rights and bodily autonomy. She aims to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade, asserting that all women, regardless of their state of residence, should have access to abortion. Harris has garnered support from organizations like Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, which advocate for safe and legal access to abortion nationwide.

Current landscape and perspectives

Abortion law in the United States have undergone numerous changes over the years, and the current landscape continues to evolve, reflecting strong and polarized political responses from various groups.

Beyond its legal aspect, abortion remains a deeply divisive social and political issue in the United States, highlighting significant fracture regarding this right and the possibility of its recognition nationwide.

One of the most contentious debates involves claims from Republicans that Democrats support abortion up until nine months or even the ‘execution’ of newborns after birth. In response, Democrats have repeatedly clarified their position, particularly in reaction to Trump’s recent statements on abortion policy for the 2024 election, emphasizing that these accusations are misleading.

These claims are often used as disinformation tools, leading to a heated debate frequently marked by misunderstanding about women’s reproductive rights. Supporters of women’s rights argue that such statements distort legal and medical facts. For example, during the 2019 elections, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated that claims about late-term abortion being associated with ‘executions’ of newborns after birth are groundless and misleading. 

The right to abortion has emerged as a crucial issue in American political discourse ahead of the 2024 elections. The opposing positions of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris highlight not only their ideological differences but also the tangible consequences of laws and policies on individuals’ lives and public health. With increased mobilization from associations and activists, the future of abortion in the United States remains uncertain, though it is undoubtedly a central issue in the current political landscape.


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Caterina De Rosa

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