CNN

Romney: ‘I don’t support the Alabama law’ effectively banning abortion

May 19, 2019, 9:15 AM | Updated: 9:18 am

(CNN) — Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney said Sunday he does not support the recently passed Alabama law that would ban abortions with few exceptions, going further than legislation in any other state.

“I don’t support the Alabama law,” Romney told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor who was the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, said that while he is against abortion, he favors exceptions “for rape and incest and where the life of the mother is at risk.”

Romney joins other prominent Republicans outside of Alabama in saying that the law goes too far. In a tweet Saturday night, President Donald Trump said he supported the same exceptions that Romney called for on Sunday, and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who is also Romney’s niece, also said she personally felt there should be exceptions in the law for rape and incest.

Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the measure into law last week that would punish doctors who perform abortions and only allows exceptions “to avoid a serious health risk to the unborn child’s mother,” for ectopic pregnancy and if the “unborn child has a lethal anomaly.” Democrats re-introduced an amendment to the bill to exempt rape and incest victims, but the motion failed on an 11-21 vote. The Alabama Senate ultimately passed the bill 25-6.

When she signed the bill into law, Ivey noted the new measure may be unenforceable due to the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established abortion rights nationwide in 1973. But the new law was passed with the aim of challenging that decision, she said.

Romney on Sunday told CNN that there were “extreme” laws on both sides of the abortion debate and pointed to New York and Virginia, which have debated expanding abortion rights. The New York law passed in January said abortions could be performed after 24 weeks if the fetus is not viable or when necessary to protect the life of the mother. A Virginia bill that included loosening restrictions around abortion in the third trimester was tabled earlier this year as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam faced backlash for comments regarding the measure.

Taking issue with measures on both sides of the debate, Romney said, “People have gone to the wings, if you will.”

“I think something much more towards the center makes a lot more sense,” he said.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

CNN

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

8 hours ago

Doughnuts are displayed for sale at a Krispy Kreme store on February 13, in Austin, Texas. Krispy K...

Ramishah Maruf, CNN

Krispy Kreme doughnuts are coming to McDonald’s

The Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be available nationwide at participating restaurants by the end of 2026, after a phased rollout beginning later this year.

23 hours ago

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok for its data and security practices, two sourc...

Brian Fung and Samantha Delouya, CNN

FTC investigating TikTok over privacy and security

The probe is yet another complication for the social media platform. It's already facing the threat of a potential US ban or a forced divestment from its Chinese parent company.

1 day ago

A hand holds a tablet stamped with "MF," standing for mifepristone....

CNN

Study shows how self-managed abortion became more common, as Supreme Court abortion drug hearing looms

Medication abortion has become increasingly common since it first became available in the United States two decades ago.

2 days ago

People place flowers at a memorial outside Crocus City Hall in Moscow on Sunday following Friday's ...

Sophie Tanno, Eve Brennan, Anna Chernova and Darya Tarasova, CNN

Thousands gather in Russia to mourn victims of concert hall attack

Russia on Sunday held a day of mourning after at least 137 people were killed in a terrorist attack on a concert venue in Moscow.

3 days ago

Demonstrators call for the release of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas during a protest in Tel ...

Abel Alvarado, Ami Kaufman, Mostafa Salem and Becky Anderson, CNN

Israel agrees to US proposal on prisoner-hostage exchange and is awaiting Hamas’ response, CNN analyst says

Israel has agreed to a US proposal on a prisoner-hostage exchange that would release around 700 Palestinian prisoners.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Romney: ‘I don’t support the Alabama law’ effectively banning abortion