Poll: Most Americans want significant abortion restrictions, oppose abortion pills by mail

A new Marist poll reveals that a majority of Americans – 71% – support significant restrictions on abortion. 

The poll was released shortly before the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion – and the day before the 49th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. 

Among the 71% of all Americans who support significant abortion restrictions were those who believe abortion should only be legal in the first trimester (22%); to save the life of the mother, or for cases of rape or incest (28%); to save the life of the mother only (9%); and those who believe abortion should never be allowed (12%). Support for significant restrictions on abortion was noted among 49% of Democrats, 93% of Republicans, and 70% of independents. 

“When it comes to the direction of government policy, there has been consistency and consensus in American public opinion on the issue of abortion over the decades,” explained Dr. Barbara Carvalho, director of the Marist Poll, according to a Knights of Columbus press release.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Americans either “oppose” or “strongly oppose” using tax dollars to support abortion abroad, including 59% who self-identify as pro-choice. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Americans oppose new FDA guidelines authorizing sending abortion pills by mail, a change implemented by the Biden administration in December 2021. A majority of all Americans (54%) believe organizations who have religious objections to abortion should not be required to provide insurance coverage for abortion. 

READ: New poll finds most Millennials/Gen Z disagree with Biden-Harris abortion agenda

“Our polling also shows that Americans oppose policies that divert tax dollars to pay for abortion here and abroad. This is especially relevant as the bipartisan Hyde Amendment prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortion is in danger,” added Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Kelly, according to the press release.

When asked about the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, 61% of respondents indicated they want to see the ruling overturned —44% of respondents said the legality of abortion should be determined by each state, while another 17% said the Supreme Court should make abortion illegal. 

“As we await a decision in the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, our polling continues to show that over 60% of Americans reject the central holding of Roe v. Wade, and want to return the decision to the states or make abortion illegal,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. “Roe v. Wade was wrong when it was decided, and its legacy is the tragic destruction of more than 60 million unborn lives and countless wounded women. The time has come for America to turn the page on Roe.”

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