WASHINGTON — Republicans just adopted the party’s platform ahead of next week’s national convention that reflects former President Donald Trump’s policies and political priorities. It includes top issues for Texas Republicans like the border and the economy. But it notably omits a politically unpopular position that has been a staple of GOP platforms for 40 years — a national abortion ban.
Some political experts said the Republican Party platform is the personification of the presumptive nominee. Under the banner of Trump’s signature slogan “Make America Great Again,” and written in capital letters, the scaled-down platform even looks like a Trump social media post. It features 20 promises, and listed at number one is border security, which is a key issue for Trump, Republicans in Texas and the GOP nationally. Although the platform lacks details on immigration reform, it pledges to build more of Trump’s border wall and carry out mass deportations.
“President Trump has a proven track record, and that’s why Americans want him back. They want a president that’s going to secure our border, they want a country that does not have criminal acts by illegal immigrants that have come across our border,” Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-McAllen, said.
The Republican platform committee approved the document earlier this week. It echoes Trump’s emphasis on the economy, energy independence, crime and tax cuts.
“We’re looking at energy independence, American energy independence, I think you’re looking at border security, you’re looking at economic development, you’re looking at parental rights, I think all the things that Americans right now are telling us are important to them,” said Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving.
Notably, the platform largely steers clear of controversial issues like same-sex marriage or abortion rights, which some political analysts said was an attempt to avoid detailing GOP positions that have been unpopular with most voters. For the first time in four decades, it contains no language advocating a national abortion ban. The change drew criticism from anti-abortion rights groups.
“I am absolutely pro-life, but I also believe that people have a right to be able to talk to their state legislators and to have their opinions viewed,” Van Duyne said. “I think from a Republican perspective, it’s important that we continue to be supportive of women who find themselves in those positions.”
Democrats said the GOP and Trump are trying to hide his opposition to abortion rights and noted he nominated three Supreme Court justices who overturned the constitutional right to an abortion.
“From a substantive perspective, there are a couple of high-profile issues in the platform where the language is attempting to present a more moderate face to the public than the party is on that handful of issues,” said Kathleen Dolan Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
When asked if the platform became more moderate, De La Cruz said it reflects what the party has stood for, “which is increasing border security, which ultimately means national security. We want less government spending, and those are still things that are important at the top of the list for Republicans, and things that we’re going to talk about at the convention.”
The platform will be up for a final vote at next week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Its approval is all but certain.
This comes as Democrats in Congress grapple with whether to stand by President Joe Biden’s candidacy after a shaky debate performance against Trump.
“Playing fantasy president in the fourth quarter isn’t something that I’m willing to do, because the stakes are just that high,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas. “What we need to do is focus on the issues. We need to focus on the fact that Donald Trump has always been a threat and continues to remain a threat.”