84% of Americans Want Late-Term Abortions Banned, Back Bill to Stop Them After 20 Weeks

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 21, 2015   |   2:00PM   |   Washington, DC

A new poll released today indicates Americans strongly support legislation that would ban late-term abortions and protect babies who are capable of feeling intense pain during an abortion.

The vast majority of Americans are still very uncomfortable with abortion, according to a new Marist University poll. The survey finds support for abortion restrictions among both “pro-life” and “pro-choice” supporters. Despite the strong support, President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the pro-life bill.

According to the national survey, 84% of Americans want significant restrictions on abortion, and would limit abortions to, at most, the first three months of pregnancy. This includes almost 7 in 10 (69 percent) who identify themselves as “pro-choice” who support such abortion limits and oppose late-term abortions.

The same percentage (84 percent) also says that laws can protect both the well-being of a woman and the life of the unborn. In addition, by more than 20 points (60 percent to 38 percent), Americans say abortion is morally wrong.

“Four decades after Roe v. Wade, the American people remain unhappy with its legacy,” said Knights of Columbus CEO Carl Anderson, head of the group that commissioned Marist University to conduct the poll.

SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must Ban Abortions Because Babies Feel Intense Pain

ultrasound4d8bHe told LifeNews.com: “The survey makes clear that the American people understand that abortion is far too common, and causes great harm. And even those who consider themselves ‘pro-choice’ want it reduced significantly. It is time that our lawmakers respond to this public consensus with appropriate legislation.”

Other key findings of the survey include:

  • 64 percent say the nation’s abortion rate is higher than it should be. Only 7 percent thinks it is too low.
  • 78 percent support parental notification before a minor can obtain an abortion.
  • 68 percent oppose taxpayer funding of abortion, while only 28 percent support it.
  • By nearly three to one, Americans see abortion as doing a woman more harm than good in the long run (59 percent to 22 percent).
  • By 20 points (57 percent to 37 percent), Americans support proposed legislation that would permit medical professionals and organizations to refuse to provide abortions or refer patients for abortions.

The poll backs up other national surveys showing Americans strongly support the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that bans abortions from after 20-weeks of pregnancy up to the day of birth.

A national poll by The Polling Company found that, after being informed that there is scientific evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least by 20 weeks, 64% would support a law banning abortion after 20 weeks, unless the mother’s life was in danger.   Only 30% said they would oppose such a law.

A November 2014 poll from Quinnipiac found that 60 percent of Americans support legislation limiting abortions after 20 weeks, including 56 percent of Independents and 46 percent of Democrats.

The new Marist survey of 2,079 adults was conducted Jan. 7 through Jan. 13, 2015, by the Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the continental United States were interviewed by telephone using live interviewers. Results are statistically significant within ±2.1 percentage points. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations.