Mike Pence assures voters Donald Trump would be a 'pro-life president'
Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence has said that Roe v Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the US, will be overturned should Donald Trump become president.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Michigan on Thursday, the staunchly pro-life governor said: “We will see Roe v Wade consigned to the ash heap of history where it belongs.”
Responding to a question about legalized abortion, Pence said that he "couldn’t be more proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the next pro-life president of the United States of America, Donald Trump. He is committed to the sanctity of life.”
Trump’s stance on abortion has been questioned due to differing, and sometimes conflicting, statements he has made on abortion laws.
Trump said in April that he would support a ban on abortion, but with some exceptions for victims of rape and to save the life of a mother. A month prior, however, he had said that a woman who undergoes an abortion should receive some kind of punishment.
Pence reminded the crowd that the next president would be in the position to appoint Supreme Court justices.
“While we’re choosing a president for the next four years, this next president will make decisions that will impact our Supreme Court for the next 40,” he said.
READ MORE: Kaine v Pence: Inspecting the 2016 vice president picks, their records
Pence has tried to thwart women’s access to abortion throughout his entire political career, including leading the charge to defund Planned Parenthood and passing anti-abortion legislation.
“Go tell your neighbors and your friends, for the sake of the rule of law, for the sake of sanctity of life, for the sake of our 2nd Amendment, for the sake of all our other God-given liberties, we must ensure the next president appointing justices to the Supreme Court is Donald Trump.” Pence said.
