2016 GOP field backs abortion ban

Republican politicians rumored to be considering White House bids are throwing their weight behind a proposal to ban abortion at 20 weeks.

Almost every member of a possible GOP presidential field agrees with the proposal from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and has communicated support in anti-abortion circles.

{mosads}Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and sitting Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Ted Cruz (Texas) have written letters of support, according to a recent report by the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Other potential GOP candidates have also backed the measure, leaving only a few exceptions.

Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) is a co-sponsor of Graham’s Senate bill, for example. House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.) voted for the House version of the measure. And Texas Gov. Rick Perry (Texas) approved a statewide 20-week ban this summer.

Only two prominent Republicans thought to be weighing presidential runs have not taken a position: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Abortion opponent groups, together with Graham, are hoping to make the 20-week ban a litmus test for 2016.

“I don’t want anybody carrying the Republican banner that doesn’t get this,” Graham told the Christian Broadcasting Network. “If you don’t get this, then you’re the extremist.”

Supporters of the ban say it’s necessary to protect fetuses from pain, a premise medical experts dispute. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes the measure, along with abortion-rights groups.

“The reality is that abortion later in pregnancy is very rare and often happens under heartbreaking and tragic circumstances — the kind of situations where a woman and her doctor need every medical option available,” said Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards earlier this year.

Graham’s bill only allows exceptions in some cases of rape and incest and when the pregnant woman’s life is in danger.