Nikki Haley warns rivals over odds of federal abortion ban

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called herself “unapologetically pro-life,” but argued that the GOP should be “honest with the American people” about the realities of implementing a federal abortion ban during Wednesday’s Republican primary debate.

“It will take 60 Senate votes, it will take a majority of the House,” she said, suggesting it will be difficult, if not impossible, to pass such restrictions before arguing for finding areas of “consensus.”

“Can’t we all agree that we should ban late-term abortions?” she asked. “Can’t we all agree that we should encourage adoptions? Can’t we all agree that doctors and nurses who don’t believe in abortion shouldn’t have to perform them? Can’t we all agree that contraception should be available? And can’t we all agree that we are not going to put a woman in jail or give her the death penalty if she gets an abortion?”

Former VP Mike Pence, a staunch evangelical Christian, took issue with Haley’s lukewarm statement on the issue.

“To be honest with you, Nikki, you’re my friend, but consensus is the opposite of leadership,” said Pence, who has said a ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy should be the “minimum nationwide standard.”

“They didn’t just send it to the states only,” he added, referring to last year’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. “It’s not a states-only issue, it’s a moral issue.”

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Meanwhile, the moderators pushed Ron DeSantis to answer whether he would sign national abortion restrictions, noting that he enacted a six-week ban on the procedure while Florida’s governor.

“Just to be clear, governor, would you sign a six-week ban federally?” Bret Baier asked DeSantis.

“I’m going to stand on the side of life,” the 44-year-old answered. “Look, I understand Wisconsin is going to do it different than Texas. I understand Iowa and New Hampshire are going to do it differently, but I will support the cause of life as governor and as president.”