Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida touted his opposition Friday to abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, saying that “all human life is worthy of protection irrespective of the circumstances in which that human life was created.”
Mr. Rubio shot down the idea in Thursday’s GOP presidential debate that he supports rape and incest exceptions in abortion bans, arguing he never advocated for such a plan.
During an appearance on CNN’s “New Day,” Mr. Rubio said Friday that he supported a 20-week abortion ban in Congress that included those carve outs because it prevented abortions — not because it was a perfect proposal.
Mr. Rubio said there is not a single pro-life senator or pro-life group that refused to back the ban because it included the exceptions.
“I think both of those instances are horrifying,” Mr. Rubio said of cases of rape and incest. “Fortunately, they’re extremely rare. It happens. And any time it happens, it’s horrifying. It’s a tragedy.
“But I personally and honestly and deeply believe that all human life is worthy of protection irrespective of the circumstances in which that human life was created,” Mr. Rubio said. “I personally believe you do not correct one tragedy with a second tragedy. That’s how I personally feel very strongly about.”
The pro-life push has intensified in the wake of undercover videos that showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the surgical process used to save fetal tissue taken from abortions.
The GOP field is now calling for stripping federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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