CBS Anchor Grills Vance on Access to Abortion Pill

Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate from Ohio, has defended former President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding abortion pills. Vance emphasized that Trump advocates for states to have authority over such decisions, even in light of suggestions that the former president is open to limiting access to these pills.

During a Sunday appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” anchor Margaret Brennan referenced a recent news conference where Trump was questioned about actions he might take to restrict abortion access beyond a federal ban. This included a possibility of directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to limit access to mifepristone, an abortion pill.

In response, Trump remarked that there may be humane measures to explore that extend beyond enacting a ban. He stated that while there are actions he could support, ultimately “the people are going to have to decide.”

Many interpreted Trump’s comments as an indication of ambiguity about his position on abortion pill regulations. Brennan then asked Vance whether he thought Trump’s remarks were incorrect, to which the Ohio senator suggested that Trump might not have heard the reporter’s question clearly.

Vance noted, “First of all, even some of the reporters who were in the room at that press conference said it wasn’t clear what the reporter was asking,” and he hesitated to speculate on Trump’s intent. He stressed that what Trump clearly articulated during a June debate was a commitment to allow states to make their own decisions regarding abortion.

During that debate, Trump affirmed that he would not interfere with access to mifepristone and voiced support for a Supreme Court ruling that upheld access to the abortion pill. Despite this, he still maintained that individual states should have the authority to regulate the issue.

Vance further reiterated that Trump has a consistent stance on this matter. He remarked, “I think his view on this has been very clear,” signaling that he believes his own interpretation aligns with Trump’s position.

The senator also underscored the importance of the FDA’s role in managing the prescription of abortion pills, emphasizing that safety should be a top priority. Vance stated, “Again, you want the states to make these determinations, you also want to make sure the FDA is ensuring that these medications are safe for anybody who’s taking them.”

Brennan interjected to clarify that mifepristone has been approved by the FDA for decades, underlining its long-standing availability. In response, Vance drew a parallel with antibiotics, which are considered safe but require proper medical oversight to ensure patient safety. He suggested that ensuring appropriate supervision of these medications is essential to prevent harm.

Brennan pressed for clarity on whether the stance of any prospective FDA commissioner would influence their selection if he and Trump were to choose. Vance argued that Trump does not employ “litmus tests” regarding specific issues, asserting that the priority is to ensure drugs are safe and effective before they are made available.

Vance concluded by reiterating his belief that Trump’s views on abortion are straightforward, maintaining that the former president’s established principles guide their approach to the issue. He reassured that Trump’s commitment centers around the safety and efficacy of medical treatments while allowing states the discretion to determine their regulations.

In summary, Vance’s remarks reflect a consistent alignment with Trump’s perspective, emphasizing the importance of state decision-making on abortion and ensuring that medications like mifepristone are managed responsibly within the medical community.