Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said Wednesday she disagrees with pro-life politicians in her own party like Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and that, in her opinion, the Democratic Party “stands for” abortion rights.
Warren, who is one of the leading contenders for the nomination, was asked by moderator Rachel Maddow during Wednesday’s debate if there was “room in the Democratic Party” for someone like Edwards, who signed a bill into law banning abortion when an unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected. It is being challenged in court.
“I believe that abortion rights are human rights,” Warren said. “I believe that they are also economic rights. And protecting the right of a woman to be able to make decisions about her own body is fundamentally what we do and what we stand for as a Democratic Party.”
I believe that abortion rights are human rights.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 21, 2019
I believe that they're also economic rights.
And protecting the right of a woman to be able to make decisions about her own body is fundamentally what we do and what we stand for as a Democratic Party. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/kDrlXSKr4Z
Asked again if there was room for Edwards in the party, Warren responded, “I have made clear what I think the Democratic Party stands for. I'm not here to try to drive anyone out of this party. I'm not here to try to build fences. But I am here to say, this is what I will fight for as president of the United States. The women of America can count on that.”
The overturning of Roe v. Wade, Warren said, will negatively impact low-income women.
“When someone makes abortion illegal in America, rich women will still get abortions,” she said. “It's just going to fall hard on poor women. It's going to fall hard on girls, women who don't even know that they're pregnant because they have been molested by an uncle. I want to be an America where everybody has a chance.
“And I know it can be a hard decision for people,” Warren said. “But here's the thing: When it comes down to that decision, a woman should be able to call on her mother, she should be able to call on her partner, she should be able to call on her priest or her rabbi. But the one entity that should not be in the middle of that decision is the government.”
On social media, women were divided over Warren’s comments.
“@ewarren, preaching it loud and proud,” Lauren Rankin tweeted. “Access to safe and legal abortion is a fundamental right and a critical aspect of economic justice for people who can [get] pregnant.”
"I believe abortion rights are human rights, but I also believe that they're economic rights." @ewarren, preaching it loud and proud. Access to safe and legal abortion is a fundamental right and a critical aspect of economic justice for people who can pregnant.
— Lauren Rankin (@laurenarankin) November 21, 2019
Other women, though, were critical.
“Are you serious?? The most basic human right is the right to LIFE,” Grace Stelmashenko tweeted. “An abortion is the ending of a LIFE. Abortion rights are NOT human rights.”
Are you serious??
— Grace Stelmashenko (@gstelmashenko) November 21, 2019
The most basic human right is the right to LIFE
An abortion is the ending of a LIFE
Abortion rights are NOT human rights https://t.co/Rr9Jp0hqNn
Wrote another debate viewer, Margie Sarcia, “Elizabeth Warren states that abortion is a basic human right. A preborn baby has human rights too. As a Mother and Grandmother - I cannot imagine ending the life of an innocent precious baby.”
Elizabeth Warren states that abortion is a basic human right. A preborn baby has human rights too. As a Mother and Grandmother - I cannot imagine ending the life of an innocent precious baby.
— Margie Sarcia (@MVSarcia) November 21, 2019
Only 25 percent of women believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances, according to Gallup. The same poll showed 51 percent of women consider themselves to be pro-life while 43 percent say they’re pro-choice.
Related:
Top Legislator Won’t Apologize for Comparing ‘Scourge’ of Abortion to Slavery
Trump Admin. Keeps Pro-Abortion Language out of U.N. Resolution
Abortion Is Loving and Selfless, Says Controversial Pro-Choice Campaign
Ex-Planned Parenthood Head Blasted for Saying Abortion Should Be ‘Rare’
UK Judge Orders Woman with Mental Disability to Abort Her Child against Her Will
Biden, Warren Pledge to ‘Codify’ Roe v. Wade into Federal Law
Abortion Rate Decreased under New Tennessee Pro-Life Law, Study Says
Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Alex Wong/Staff
