Blackburn Tapped To Lead Debate On Late Term Abortions

Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood has been outspoken about more GOP women needing to speak up on issues. Credit: TN Photo Services

Brentwood Congressman Marsha Blackburn has been chosen to shepherd a bill through the U.S. House banning late term abortions. The original sponsor has become the target of criticism for downplaying how many abortions occur following rape and incest.  Arizona Republican Trent Franks is the lead sponsor, but he created a controversy last week as he argued against including exceptions for women who get pregnant through rape or incest.

So Blackburn will guide the debate, which also helps the GOP because she’s a woman. The party has been criticized for having too few females involved in the abortion discussion. Blackburn says there’s broad support for federal restrictions.

“This is something we needed to do – have a bill that placed a ban on late-term abortions. And about 80 percent of the American people are with us on this.”

According to Gallup polling in 2011, even those identifying as pro-choice thought abortions should be illegal in the final three months.

Blackburn says there’s bi-partisan support in the Republican-controlled House, even if the proposal gets stymied in the Democratically-controlled Senate.