Newsom Presses DeSantis on National Abortion Ban: ‘It’s a Simple Yes or No’
Republican presidential hopeful wouldn't answer question of federal legislation
California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, used his unusual debate with his counterpart from Florida to press Ron DeSantis whether he would support nationally the kind of strict, six-week ban on abortion he helped enact in the Sunshine State.
Newsom and DeSantis went head-to-head Thursday in a unique “Great Red State vs. Blue State Debate” televised on Fox News and moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The encounter resembled a presidential debate. But while DeSantis is contending for the Republican presidential nomination, Newsom is not running for president and has been a strong surrogate for President Biden.
DeSantis earlier this year signed a bill from Florida's Republican-dominated state legislature which bans access to abortion services in the state after just six weeks of pregnancy.
Newsom, a supporter of abortion rights, sought to pin DeSantis down if — should he be elected president — he would sign similar legislation on the federal level if Republicans in Congress sent him such a ban.
Restrictions on abortion rights have proven unpopular across much of the country since the right-wing majority on the US Supreme Court last year overturned Roe v Wade and upended about half a century of national guaranteed access to abortion.
And DeSantis wouldn't bite, despite the prodding by Newsom.
An excerpt of the exchange:
NEWSOM: “This is an important conversation, will you or will you not support — ”
DESANTIS: “Why didn’t you — “
NEWSOM: “Will you not support a national ban if it lands on your desk?”
HANNITY: “Gentlemen, we are moving onto the next issue.”
NEWSOM: “The American people should know this. He can’t answer it.”
Correction: California Gov Gavin Newsom’s political affiliation was misreported in an earlier version of this story. It's been corrected.
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