Battleground Republicans squeezed hardest on abortion after Roe falls

Even Republicans from the nation’s biggest battlegrounds now embrace the anti-abortion mantle, a near-universal position in a House GOP conference veering rightward. But as abortion rights remain highly popular with voters, including in swing districts, most of those vulnerable lawmakers were uninterested in discussing the particulars of what, if anything, should happen following the court’s Friday ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.

Multiple Republicans in tough races this fall — incumbents in districts Joe Biden carried — avoided abortion questions in the hours after the decision. Several others said only that it was an issue for states, not whether they’d support any legislation Democrats might put on the floor. That includes a proposal led by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska that would codify Roe’s nationwide right to an abortion without expanding access, as Democrats have previously put forward…

While some conservatives have called for debate on a total abortion ban if Republicans seize power in the House, next year GOP leaders could decide instead to bring back a bill from the last time they had the majority — a 20-week abortion ban, which is broadly popular with voters.

That move could pile political pressure on members like Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), whose seat remains a potential pickup for Democrats despite the rough climate. He said only “no” to the codify-Roe question before dashing into the House chamber. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), who flipped an Orange County district last cycle, also said “no” before asking a reporter to call her office.