Two candidates push back on national abortion ban. At the first debate between Republican candidates vying for the 2024 presidential nomination, two of the eight contenders on stage explicitly rejected the idea of helping pass a national abortion ban if they were elected. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley rejected it on practical grounds—noting that Republicans simply didn't and wouldn't have the votes in the Senate to actually push such a ban through—and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum rejected it on principle, asserting that it would be unconstitutional.
"Be honest with the American people…no Republican president can ban abortions," said Haley, pointing out that there wouldn't be enough Senate votes to do it. "Do not make women feel like they have to decide on this issue."
