Georgia Rep. Paul Broun has worked to paint himself as the most conservative candidate in the GOP primary for the state’s open Senate race. But his vote on Tuesday against the House’s 20-week abortion ban bill drew mixed reactions from anti-abortion groups.
The congressman was one of just six GOP “no” votes on the measure, but only Broun and his home state colleague Rob Woodall said they opposed the measure because it was amended to include exceptions for rape and incest.
While the National Right to Life Committee strongly endorsed the Republican bill passed on Tuesday, Georgia Right to Life opposed the legislation, with the group supporting abortion exceptions only for the life of the mother.
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted, the move by Broun could help him get the GRTL endorsement in the growing primary to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss. But his vote will cost him with the group’s national arm, the NRLC, which said in a statement they were “extremely disappointed” in Broun and Woodall’s votes against the bill.
Tuesday’s vote could provide a stark contrast if the groups wade into the primary–with GRTL refusing to endorse legislators who back exceptions for rape and incest, while the NRLC said this vote will be key as they make political decisions.
Broun faces Reps. Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston, who both voted for the bill, in the primary, along with former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel; others are still looking at the race.
via GOP ‘no’ vote highlights anti-abortion divide in Georgia — MSNBC.
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