New Marist Poll Says Most Americans Oppose Taxpayer-Funded Abortion

photo credit: American Life League / Flickr

A new poll released by Marist Poll and the Knights of Columbus on Wednesday suggests that most Americans oppose the use of federal tax dollars to fund abortions both overseas and in the US. 

77% of respondents said that they either opposed or strongly opposed the use of federal funding to pay for foreign abortions. Only 19% supported federal tax dollars being used for that purpose. 

53% of respondents said they were pro-choice, but almost 60% of respondents from that subset still said that they opposed using federal funds to pay for abortions in other countries. 55% of Democrats responded this way as well.

Respondents were also asked their opinion on abortion restrictions. The findings show that 76% wanted abortion either banned or limited to the first three months of pregnancy. Only 58% of Americans agreed, however, that federal tax dollars should not be used to fund abortion in the US.

Marist Poll director Dr. Barbara Carvalho said in a press release accompanying the poll results that the statistics show a "consensus" between Americans on abortion restrictions.

“While the number of people who identify as ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ tends to fluctuate with the public debate, when given a broader choice of policy options, there is a strong consensus among Americans on abortion,” Carvalho said. “Survey results reveal support for abortion restrictions and an aversion for use of taxpayer funding for abortions abroad.”

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