Overview

• Strict abortion bans failed this week in two reliably Republican states, Nebraska and South Carolina, highlighting GOP anxiety over support for limiting abortion access.
• Republicans risk alienating moderate voters and women by pursuing strict anti-abortion policies that go against public opinion favoring legal abortion.
• The defeat of the bills shows a divide between the anti-abortion goals of Republican legislators and the views of their constituents.
• In South Carolina, a bipartisan group of female senators filibustered for days to block a total abortion ban.
• While abortion rights were protected for now, the issue is complex with uncertain futures for legislation in both states.