As the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, it remains clear that the American people do not support the infamous abortion decision.
A new Marist poll, released this week, found that 76 percent of Americans want significant restrictions on abortion. The findings are consistent with past polls on the issue.
More than three quarters of Americans would limit abortion to the first three months of pregnancy, at most, according to the poll. This includes a majority of Republicans, Independents, Democrats and even those who identify as “pro-choice” on abortion.
A majority of Americans also support a ban on abortions after 20 weeks (63 percent) and a ban on taxpayer funding of abortions (60 percent), according to the poll.
In addition, 56 percent said they consider abortion “morally wrong,” with 64 percent saying abortions targeting unborn babies with disabilities are wrong.
In 1973, Roe v. Wade opened the doors to abortion for any reason up to birth. Since then, approximately 60 million unborn babies have been aborted in the United States.
“This survey shows clearly that the ‘pro-choice’ label can no longer be assumed to mean support for abortion on demand,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson in a statement. “Nor can abortion be thought of as a partisan issue since majorities of Democrats, Independents and Republicans all agree that it should be substantially restricted. It is high time that our political debates reflected this national consensus and used it as a starting point.”
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Some states still allow abortions for any reason in the third trimester, and all allow them in the first and second. The United States is one of only seven countries in the world that permits elective abortions past 20 weeks — a fact confirmed by the Washington Post fact checker.
Currently, the U.S. Senate is considering the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks when unborn babies can feel pain.
