South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham last week introduced legislation that would put a national ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The proposed law wouldn’t stop states from having stricter restrictions, but would stop states that allow abortions after the 15 week mark from performing them besides the rare exceptions.
Americans were asked in a new poll by YouGov/Economist about this law and three other proposed national abortion laws. 50% support a national right to abortion with 37% opposing. 60% say they were opposed to national ban and only 39% support a 15 week proposal (46% oppose it).
Most who support a national abortion ban (76%) will support Graham’s bill. Only 25% who support establishing a right to abortion nationally support Graham. A ban after 15 weeks but that will establish a right to abortion nationally before the 15 week mark received more wide spread support. Half who were in favor of a ban support (53%) as well as 41% who favor a right to abortion.
By 46% to 33% Americans support the federal government with the recent announcement that the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating they will allow and provide abortions in certain circumstances-even in states were it is illegal to do so. Democrats (70%) are more likely than Republicans (26%) or Independents (39%) to support this proposal.