Yesterday on Face the Nation, Hillary Clinton said she opposed federal bans on late-term abortions, as such abortions take place because of “medical necessity.” The question from John Dickerson was specifically in reference to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which does include the protections about which Clinton is concerned, and then some.
In 2000, Clinton understood medical necessity could be an exception in a late-term abortion ban. “I have said many times that I can support a ban on late-term abortions, including partial-birth abortions, so long as the health and life of the mother is protected.”
Watch the clip and view the transcript here:
John Dickerson: This week, the Senate is going to vote to impose a federal ban on late-term abortions. Do you support a federal limit on abortion at any stage of pregnancy?
Hillary Clinton: This is one of those really painful questions that people raise. And, obviously, it’s really emotional. I think that the kind of late-term abortions that take place are because of medical necessity. And, therefore, I would hate to see the government interfering with that decision. I think that, again, this gets back to whether you respect a woman’s right to choose or not. And I think that is what this whole argument once again is about.
