House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated that he does not foresee Republicans enacting a federal abortion restriction, even if they were to secure control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. During an interview with Politico that was released on Friday, Johnson referenced former President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion, which was disclosed in April after much speculation. Additionally, Johnson cited the late Andrew Breitbart, who famously stated that “politics is downstream from culture.”
“If there is Republican control of both chambers of Congress and the White House next year, do you anticipate passing any sort of nationwide abortion ban?” Politico‘s Rachael Bade asked Johnson.
“No, I don’t,” Johnson replied.
He continued:
“President Trump said this is in the states’ purview now. After the Dobbs decision, I think that’s where it is. Look, I am a lifelong pro-lifer. I’m a product of a teen pregnancy. And so I believe in the sanctity of human life. It’s also an important article of faith for me. But I have 434 colleagues here. All of us have our own, philosophical principles that we live by, but you have to have a political consensus. [Andrew] Breitbart said, politics is downstream from culture. He’s right. Before you can have political consensus on a very contentious issue like this, you have to have cultural consensus. And I think there’s a lot of work to do to build a culture of life and educate people on the importance of that and to really live up to the principles of our nation’s birth certificate, which is the declaration that “all men are created equal.” And there’s value in that. But we have a long way to go to build the political consensus here to do anything in that regard.”
Politico‘s Ryan Lizza also asked Johnson, “Do you anticipate putting forward any legislation on abortion before the election?”
“No,” Johnson answered.
Democrats, along with President Joe Biden’s campaign, are relying heavily on mobilizing voter turnout by focusing on the topic of abortion. They are using this issue to portray Republicans as “extreme” and a danger to women. Biden’s campaign asserts that Trump and Republicans would implement a federal abortion ban if he were to be re-elected.
