Poll: Most Americans Support Ban on Abortion After 20 Weeks Pregnancy
While state legislatures debate new rules on abortion access, a recently released poll has shown that a majority of Americans support increased restrictions on abortion access.
A HuffPost / YouGov poll showed that 59 percent of Americans supported the idea of a federal law banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, versus 30 percent who are opposed.
The poll was conducted from June 27 to 28 with a sample of 1,000 adults selected via YouGov to represent the demographics of the United States population. Emily Swanson and Mark Blumenthal of the Huffington Post wrote about the results of the poll on Thursday, which included other findings about American views on abortion.
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"Respondents to the HuffPost/YouGov poll were split in their views on whether abortion should usually be legal or illegal, with a large number falling somewhere in the middle – a finding consistent with other surveys," wrote Swanson and Blumenthal.
"Nineteen percent said they think abortion should always be legal, while 27 percent said it should be generally legal, but with some restrictions. Another 17 percent said that abortion should always be illegal, while 30 percent said it should be generally illegal, except in special circumstances."
The poll comes as the Texas Legislature moves closer to passing a bill that if enacted could result in the closure of all but five of the Lone Star State's abortion clinics.
The bill, which was passed by the House last week, was approved Thursday by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in a vote of 6 to 3.
Known by some as the "Pro-Life Omnibus Bill," the proposed legislation will be considered by the full Senate on Friday afternoon as part of the second special session called by Governor Rick Perry. Also called House Bill 2, according to Josh Rubin of CNN, the bill would add many new rules regarding abortion.
"The measure seeks to ban abortions past 20 weeks of gestation, mandate abortion clinics to become ambulatory surgical centers, tighten usage guidelines for the drug RU486," wrote Rubin.
"[HB 2 would also] require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic at which they're providing abortion services."
The contentious bill has incited thousands of protesters on both sides flooding Austin and a lengthy filibuster by pro-choice Democratic Senator Wendy Davis.
Although Texas' debate over a ban on abortions after 20 weeks has garnered headlines and social media attention, other similar legislation has recently been passed or advanced in states like North Carolina, Kansas, and Wisconsin.
