Introduction
Anti-abortion groups are actively preparing a comprehensive anti-abortion agenda for Donald Trump to implement as soon as he returns to the White House. These groups are exploring ways to use various federal agencies like the EPA, Federal Trade Commission, and Postal Service to restrict abortion access. While Trump has not yet committed to signing a national ban, these groups are designing a plan that does not require congressional approval.
The Role of Administrative Action
According to Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life, the anti-abortion movement expects swift action from presidential candidates in utilizing administrative power. With a lack of a pro-life majority in the House and Senate, administrative action is seen as the most effective way to advance their agenda after 2024 if Trump or another pro-life president is elected.
Conservative Activists' Plans
Despite a sometimes tumultuous relationship with Trump, conservative activists see a potential Trump administration as an opportunity to restrict abortion nationwide. Their plans include undoing state and federal programs that promote access to abortion and implementing a de facto national ban. These plans indicate a desire to roll back recent progress made in protecting abortion rights in various states.
The Heritage Foundation's 2025 Presidential Transition Project
A coalition of anti-abortion organizations, including Students for Life and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, known as the Heritage Foundation's 2025 Presidential Transition Project, is actively drafting executive orders to reverse Biden-era policies that expanded abortion access. They are also collecting resumes from conservative activists interested in becoming political appointees or career civil servants to use agency power to restrict abortion access.
Contrasting Trump and Biden
The Biden campaign aims to highlight the policy plans of conservative groups like Project 2025 to emphasize the difference between Trump and Biden on abortion rights. They want voters to understand the potential consequences of a Trump administration for abortion rights and to make it a key issue in the presidential election.
Rolling Back Biden-era Policies
If Trump returns to the White House, conservative activists are confident that he would revive his first-term policies that Biden has since rescinded. These policies include restrictions on domestic and international clinics providing contraception and STD testing, as well as rolling back access to abortion pills.
Impact on Title X Family Planning Program
The Trump administration's rules regarding the Title X family planning program had a significant impact on abortion access. The rules prohibited counseling about abortion or providing referrals for one, resulting in a reduction in Title X providers and patients served. These rules also allowed faith-based centers to participate in the program, even if they did not provide comprehensive care.
Rescinding Biden-era Policies
Conservative activists plan to push for the rescission of Biden's policies that expanded access to abortion pills and surgical abortions. This includes reversing funding for military members seeking abortions, provision of abortions at VA clinics, and expanding HIPAA privacy rules to cover abortions. These changes would require new agency rules and could face legal challenges.
Making Regulatory Changes
Anti-abortion groups are preparing for a future Trump administration to make regulatory changes that could further restrict abortion access. These changes include classifying abortion pills as "forever chemicals" subject to stricter regulations and penalizing virtual clinics that prescribe abortion pills in states where they are banned. These changes would likely face legal challenges.
Lawmaking by Memo
A second Trump administration could issue guidance and interpretations of existing laws to make swift and sweeping changes. For example, the Comstock Act, which bans mail delivery of materials related to abortion, could be enforced more strictly, cutting off access to abortion pills and medical equipment. The Trump administration could also rescind Biden administration guidance requiring hospitals to offer abortions to patients experiencing medical emergencies.
Conclusion
If Trump returns to the White House, anti-abortion groups are ready to implement their comprehensive agenda to restrict abortion access. Through administrative action, regulatory changes, and lawmaking by memo, they aim to roll back recent progress and restrict abortion nationwide.
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By: Alice Miranda Ollstein
Title: The Anti-Abortion Agenda for Trump’s Return to the White House
Sourced From: www.politico.com/news/2024/01/29/trump-abortion-ban-2024-campaign-00138417
Published Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:53:31 EST
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