Major pro-life group slams DeSantis for failure to back federal abortion ban

Following comments in a recent interview with Megyn Kelly on the prospect of a federal abortion ban, the nation’s leading pro-life group said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ failure to support federal pro-life policies is "unacceptable."

During the interview, DeSantis, who signed a bill banning abortions after 6 weeks earlier this year, said, "I’ve been a pro-life governor. I’ll be a pro-life president and I’ll come down on the side of life."

He said that he would be "a leader with the bully pulpit to help local communities and states advance the cause of life," but added that he doesn’t "have much confidence" that Congress would do "anything meaningful" on the issue.

"I really believe now in our society it’s really a bottom-up movement, and that’s where we’ve had most success. — Iowa, South Carolina, Florida — and I think you’re going to continue to see a lot of good battles there."

Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser called out the Governor on Monday, saying that calling for pro-life laws despite obstacles in Congress "is where presidential leadership matters most," according to Politico.

"Gov. DeSantis’s dismissal of this task is unacceptable to pro-life voters," Dannenfelser said. "A consensus is already formed. Intensity for it is palpable and measurable. There are many pressing legislative issues for which Congress does not have the votes at the moment, but that is not a reason for a strong leader to back away from the fight."

The group had previously applauded DeSantis when he announced his presidential run in May, with Dannenfelser applauding the governor for "transforming the Sunshine State from a late-term abortion haven to one of the best states in the nation for unborn children and mothers."

In April, Dannenfelser said 2024 GOP frontrunner Trump’s position on the issue a "morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold."

A few weeks later, Trump attended a meeting with Dannenfelser, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Family Research COuncil president Tony Perkins, which she called "terrific."

The SBA has vowed to oppose candidates who don’t embrace the 15-week abortion ban standard, condemning former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for declining to get behind a federal policy proposal on the issue, and saying that federal limits were "not realistic."