Anti-abortion politicians have begun calling for what they’re describing as a “national consensus” on abortion. It seems that the word consensus is a more palatable discreet way to describe a national abortion ban. Different gestational age limits have been passed around for this national ban, but it seems most anti-abortion organizations and candidates have settled on a 15-week federal abortion ban. [1] Despite this, it is clear that regulation and criminalization of pregnancy will not end at 15 weeks: If a 15 week “consensus” is reached there is nothing stopping anti-abortion lawmakers from making that margin smaller and smaller – there are already pushes for six week bans at the state and national level. [2, 3] The anti-abortion movement’s ultimate goal is to create a future where abortion is completely illegal and inaccessible, so why would they stop at an arbitrary number? Abortion itself is a central issue of this election cycle, with abortion measures on the ballot across the country. Despite what many policy makers and would-be policy-makers want you to believe, there is no “reasonable” abortion ban and abortion-seekers should not have to bargain for autonomy over their own bodies. 

Anti-abortion legislatures have described their goal as restoring a “culture of life” in this country, while simultaneously having no regard for human life themselves. In their movement, even since the fall of Roe, there has been no broad support of pro-family or pro-women legislation, because they do not truly endorse a culture of life. There has been no effort to increase the quality of life for people who often feel overwhelmed and disheartened by navigating pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting in this country, because they do not care about improving the material conditions of anyone but themselves. [4] In truth, their stated regard for the sanctity of life is a thinly veiled attempt to cover up their true motivation of upholding a patriarchal, white supremacist society.  

In fact, many  prominent anti-abortion politicians are proudly stating their support of policies that would actively harm pregnant people who are in danger from their pregnancies. Some even believe that abortions should be banned even in cases where the pregnancy is not viable, in direct contradiction to what doctors suggest. [1] This is traumatizing for the person who has to carry a non-viable pregnancy to term and can also cause extremely detrimental health effects. [1] Powerful anti-abortion groups like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America have expressed their support for 15 week bans and similar policies without regard for science. There is no part of these policies that are in alignment with a “culture of life,” instead they are guaranteed to harm pregnant people and their families. 

Despite what the stated intentions of these policies may be, we know that abortion bans are largely unpopular with voters and are not supported by the majority of Americans. [5] This could explain the anti-abortion movement’s focus on deceiving voters about their policies and their intentions, because they cannot win with facts. Instead of changing course on their restrictive policies that are not based in science and out of step with the majority, the anti-abortion movement decided to change their language to make themselves and their beliefs seem more palatable. They are using the term consensus to conceal what they really mean:  ban. But we will not let them get away with this. Do not be deceived by the anti-abortion movement’s push to make you believe there is a ‘reasonable’ anti-abortion platform, or one that would promote the best for women and families – there is no such thing. There is no reasonable abortion ban. We know that states who have already implemented these strict anti-abortion policies become more dangerous each day for pregnant people and their families. [6] Anti-abortion organizations are not ashamed about the harm that these restrictive abortion policies have created, they are more than willing to let people die in service to white supremacy. We will not be shamed out of being staunch abortion supporters across the board who make sure everyone knows restricting complete bodily autonomy can never be re-packaged as reasonable, popular, or beneficial to the greater public. 

Sources: 

1. https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-abortion-views-2024-election-e5b236c27bc9c86f77efedbeedb26520 
2. https://jessica.substack.com/p/abortion-every-day-72823
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/13/us/florida-six-week-abortion-ban.html  
4. https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/3989378-the-political-stupidity-of-the-gops-6-week-abortion-bans/ 
5. https://news.gallup.com/poll/506759/broader-support-abortion-rights-continues-post-dobbs.aspx 
6. https://andreagrimes.substack.com/p/the-awful-consequences-of-abortion