Supporters of former President Donald Trump in Florida are explaining how they will vote on the abortion ballot question in the state's November election, after the Trump campaign made it clear the president has not yet decided where he stands.
The ballot initiative aimed at amending the state constitution and enshrining the right to abortion in Florida is known as Amendment 4. The bill states that “no law may prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability, as determined by the patient's health care provider, or when necessary to protect the patient's health.”
It further states that “this amendment does not alter Congress' constitutional authority to require notification of a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”
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Allies of President Trump, including, from the left, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), have made clear their positions on Florida's abortion amendment. (Reuters)
Trump, who lives in Florida, was asked by a reporter on Thursday how he would vote.
“I will vote that we need more than six weeks,” he said in response.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA), quickly responded in a statement, saying, “President Trump has consistently opposed abortion after the fifth month of pregnancy. Amendment 4 would allow abortion after this point. A vote in favor of Amendment 4 would completely undermine his position.”
“We strongly support Florida's current heartbeat law,” she added, “and anyone who believes in a different line should vote NO on Amendment 4, unless they want no line drawn at all. Amendment 4 would bind unlimited abortion into the state constitution and prevent the Florida Legislature from enacting any changes.”
Harris was “positive” about adding seats to the Supreme Court during the 2019 presidential election.
Former President Trump said six weeks was not enough time. (Ian Mole/Getty Images)
The SBA later corrected its statement, adding that Dannenfelser spoke with President Trump on Thursday night.
“He hasn't said how he will vote on Amendment 4,” she said.
Trump's campaign also released a statement in response to the remarks.
“President Trump has not yet said how he will vote in Florida's referendum, except to reiterate that he believes six weeks is too short,” spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said.
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio's office told Fox News Digital that he plans to vote against an amendment to add abortion rights to the state constitution. A spokesman directed Fox News Digital to an April interview in which Rubio explained his position.
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Advocates want to enshrine the right to abortion in the Florida Constitution. (Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
“My fundamental issue, and this is the crux of the issue, is I believe the source of all rights is the right to life, the human right to live. And when it comes to abortion, the right to life conflicts with a woman's right to choose. So we have to choose what we prioritize in public policy: the right to life or the right to choose in these situations. This is a difficult choice for a lot of people, and I understand that. But I'm going to be on the side of life,” Rubio said at the time.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), another Trump ally, told Fox News Digital in a statement, “I do not believe abortion policy should be included in the Constitution. This issue should be addressed by state legislatures.”
Representatives for Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Rep. Ana Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) were asked by Fox News Digital about the voting plans but did not comment by press time.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opposes the amendment. (Cheney Orr/AFP via Getty Images)
The office of Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not comment but referred Fox News Digital to an outside campaign against the amendment run by allies of the governor. Taryn Fenske, president of the Florida Campaign Against Act 4, referred Fox News Digital to her own post about X in response to Trump.
“Donald Trump has consistently said that abortion should never be allowed later in pregnancy when a baby could feel pain, and he has always supported parental rights,” she wrote. “Amendment 4 would allow abortion later in pregnancy, eliminate parental consent, and open the door to taxpayer-funded abortion. It is extreme and must be rejected.”
DeSantis has publicly opposed the amendment in the past.
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Critics of the amendment point to vague language that could be interpreted as allowing selective abortions at any stage of a woman's pregnancy if deemed necessary by abortion clinic employees, not just doctors. The amendment also leaves no definition of viability, which is typically understood to be between 20 and 25 weeks, leaving it open to further interpretation.
Another concern raised by the amendment is its language on abortion for minors. The amendment does not change Congress's power to require parents to be notified about abortions for minors, the text reads. But it does remove Congress' power to require parental consent for such procedures. Critics see the amendment as overturning current parental consent laws.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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