Survey shows continuing support for pro-life policies

Annual poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus shows "consistency and consensus in American public opinion on the issue of abortion," says Marist analyst.

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Although most Americans identify as “pro-choice,” a new survey released on the eve of the March for Life shows that 71% of Americans support legal limits on abortion.

The survey, commissioned by the Knights of Columbus and conducted by the Marist Poll, also found that 81% of Americans believe laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child.

The poll was conducted in the wake of a key Supreme Court hearing involving Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case that could lead to the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

“As we await a decision in the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, our polling continues to show that over 60% of Americans reject the central holding of Roe v. Wade, and want to return the decision to the states or make abortion illegal,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly in a statement. “Roe v. Wade was wrong when it was decided, and its legacy is the tragic destruction of more than 60 million unborn lives and countless wounded women. The time has come for America to turn the page on Roe.”

According to the survey, a slight majority — 54% — oppose taxpayer funding of abortion.

“Our polling also shows that Americans oppose policies that divert tax dollars to pay for abortion here and abroad,” Kelly added. “This is especially relevant as the bipartisan Hyde Amendment prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortion is in danger. As a supermajority of Americans believe laws can protect both women and the unborn, the Knights of Columbus will continue to stand with them in supporting the dignity and worth of every human life.”

The poll has been commissioned annually by the Knights of Columbus for more than a decade. “When it comes to the direction of government policy, there has been consistency and consensus in American public opinion on the issue of abortion over the decades,” explained Dr. Barbara Carvalho, director of the Marist Poll.

Other key findings of the survey include:

63% of Americans oppose new federal rules that allow sending prescription drugs for medication abortions through the mail instead of having women get them in-person from a specially certified health provider.
Three-quarters say doctors, nurses, or other health care professionals who have religious objections to abortion should not be forced to perform them.
A majority (54%) believe organizations who have religious objections to abortion should not be legally required to provide insurance coverage for abortion.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Americans either “oppose” or “strongly oppose” using tax dollars to support abortion abroad, including 59% who self-identify as pro-choice.