By Hunter Hines
Christian Action League
July 8, 2024
As the 2024 Republican National Convention approaches, conservative evangelical leaders are voicing strong opposition to proposed changes in the party platform that would soften its stance on abortion and remove language opposing same-sex marriage. The platform, backed by presumptive presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, marks a significant shift from previous platforms that called for federal restrictions on abortion and condemned the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
During a closed-door session on Monday, the Republican platform committee voted 84-18 in favor of the proposed changes. Unlike the 2016 and 2020 platforms, which included calls for a constitutional amendment to protect unborn life and a national abortion ban with exceptions at 20 weeks, the 2024 draft platform does not advocate for these measures. Instead, it emphasizes states’ rights to determine their own abortion laws, a stance Trump has openly supported in recent months.
The draft platform references the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, a decision Trump has taken credit for due to his appointment of three justices involved in the ruling. The document states, “After 51 years, because of us, that power has been given to the states and a vote of the people.”
In a notable shift, the platform also omits previous language condemning same-sex marriage, instead stating, “Republicans will promote a culture that values the sanctity of marriage, the blessings of childhood, and the foundational role of families, and supports working parents.”
Conservative Christian groups, including the Family Research Council (FRC) and the Faith & Freedom Coalition, have expressed strong disapproval of these changes. FRC President Tony Perkins launched the Platform Integrity Project to lobby for the retention of socially conservative planks in the GOP platform.
“Party platforms matter,” Perkins stated. “They state a party’s principles and priorities. America is an unprecedented place of moral and cultural confusion and is in dire need of leadership and moral clarity. The Republican Party must once again communicate a clear and hopeful contrast between the parties by painting a message for voters on the foundational issues — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — not in pale pastels but in bright, bold colors.”
Ralph Reed, founder and chair of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, also criticized the proposed changes. “The Republican Party platform makes clear the unborn child has a right to life that is protected by the Constitution under the due process clause of the 14th amendment,” Reed told Politico. “That language has been in the GOP platform for 40 years and reflects the view of Ronald Reagan. While aspirational, it applies to both the states and the federal government.”
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a 2016 presidential candidate, expressed support for the changes, stating, “Our nominee’s position happens to be one grounded in reality. The reality of it is the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. What that basically means is now it’s not states, it’s voters at individual states who will get to decide how and what level they want to restrict abortion, if at all.”
However, Perkins disagreed, tweeting, “I’m stunned by Sen. Marco Rubio’s capitulation to the forces of abortion. There are so many inaccuracies in his comments that I don’t know where to start. First, a human life amendment has never been within political reach; it has always been aspirational and so it should remain. I can assure you that if the GOP abandons the unborn in the Party Platform, it will dampen Bible-believing, conservative voter enthusiasm and turnout.”
In a statement, a strong conservative evangelical, Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina added:
“As a conservative evangelical Republican, I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes to the Republican Party platform, particularly the softened stance on pro-life issues and the removal of language opposing same-sex marriage. These shifts represent a significant departure from the core principles that have long defined the Republican Party and its commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and traditional family values.
“First and foremost, the protection of unborn human life is not just a political issue; it is a fundamental moral imperative. The proposed platform’s failure to call for a national abortion ban or a constitutional amendment to protect the unborn is a grave mistake. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a monumental victory for the pro-life movement, achieved through decades of tireless advocacy and the appointment of justices committed to upholding the sanctity of life – one of the primary reasons conservative Christians got behind Trump’s controversial candidacy in 2016. To now suggest that only the states should individually determine their abortion laws undermines the progress we have made and puts countless unborn lives at risk.
“The idea that we should ‘oppose late-term abortion’ while supporting other policies like access to birth control and IVF is insufficient. Our stance must be unequivocal: life begins at conception, and every unborn child deserves protection. By watering down our pro-life position, we risk alienating the millions of Americans who believe deeply in this cause and who have looked to the Republican Party as the defender of the voiceless.
“Moreover, the removal of language condemning the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision on same-sex marriage is equally troubling. Marriage, as ordained by God, is a sacred union between one man and one woman. This institution is foundational to the health and stability of our society. By failing to reaffirm our opposition to same-sex marriage, the Republican Party sends a message that it is willing to compromise on essential moral truths for the sake of political expediency. This is morally disgusting!
“We must remember that party platforms are more than just documents; they are statements of our principles and priorities. As Tony Perkins rightly pointed out, America is in dire need of leadership and moral clarity. The Republican Party must provide that leadership by boldly proclaiming our commitment to life and liberty. This includes standing firm on the issues of abortion and traditional marriage, regardless of the political winds.
“If the GOP abandons these fundamental values, it risks losing the support of conservative, Bible-believing voters who have been the backbone of the Republican party. We must not capitulate to the forces of secularism and moral relativism. Instead, we must stand strong and continue to fight for the principles that have made our party and our nation great. Let us ensure that the 2024 Republican platform reflects the unwavering commitment to life and family that has always been at the heart of our mission.”
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these proposed changes will impact the Republican Party’s base and its standing among conservative evangelical voters heading into the 2024 presidential election.
