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Correcting the Lies Told at the Debate

Bradley Mattes   |   September 12, 2024

As the Presidential election draws near, it is crucial that the American people receive accurate information about abortion. Lives are at stake. 

While this article does not endorse any party or politician, it is essential to correct the record and address the outright falsehoods shared during the debate, including those from the moderators. 

The conversation surrounding abortion began with a question directed at former President Donald Trump. Moderator Linsey Davis pressed Trump on his opposition to Florida’s radical Amendment 4 proposal. In response, Trump highlighted that Amendment 4 would allow for abortion in all trimesters. 

Governor Ralph Northam

Trump also pointed out that there are instances in states with extreme pro-abortion legislation where children born alive have been denied potentially lifesaving medical care and left to die. He specifically referenced former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, who famously said, “The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable… Then a discussion would ensue between the physician and the mother.” 

In response, moderator Linsey Davis attempted to fact-check the former president, stating, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it is born.” 

Tragically, in recent years, Minnesota, home to Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’s running mate, has recorded eight cases of babies born alive after surviving an abortion, yet receiving no medical care to save their lives. This data was available because Minnesota had laws requiring abortion facilities to report the number of babies who survived abortions and to document what care was given to them. In 2023, Governor Tim Walz removed the requirement to report this information, as well as the requirement to offer lifesaving care to these babies. 

Later, Harris referenced the moderator’s prior statements, saying, “And as you rightly mentioned, nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion.” The Centers for Disease Control estimates that around 1% of all abortions occur after 21 weeks. In 2023, the Guttmacher Institute estimated there were over one million abortions, or roughly 10,000 late-term abortions. 

ABC’s own resource, documenting abortion laws in all 50 states, show that several states allow abortion without restriction in all trimesters.

When asked whether she supported abortion in the 7th, 8th, and 9th months, Harris deflected, claiming she supported the “protections” of Roe v. Wade, which allowed elective abortions in the second and third trimesters. 

Harris also claimed, “In over 20 states, there are Trump abortion bans that make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide healthcare.” No state in the country has laws that criminalize a doctor or nurse providing healthcare to a woman. Women experiencing miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or life-threatening medical conditions are protected by law in every state. 

The American people deserve the truth about abortion. The lives of the most innocent among us are at stake. Life Issues Institute will continue to combat these egregious lies and share the truth to change hearts and minds through pro-life education. 

Defending Life,

Brad Mattes,

President, Life Issues Institute

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