Pat Robertson thinks Alabama’s abortion legislation went 'too far'

Pat Robertson — a renowned former Southern Baptist minister and televangelist who is opposed to abortion — thinks Alabama has gone too far.

In an appearance on The 700 Club, Robertson questioned Alabama's restrictive new abortion legislation, which passed through the state Senate and now awaits the signature of Republican Gov. Kay Ivey. Robertson was particularly skeptical of the harsh 99-year sentences the state could dole out to doctors or anyone else who perform abortions, as well as the fact the law does not provide exceptions for rape and incest.

That said, Robertson was not implying that he had switched sides in the abortion debate. He has made his stance on the matter very clear, writing that abortion is "tantamount to murder." But he has practical reasons for disapproving of Alabama's bill. Robertson argues that if the goal is to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Alabama bill would likely fail at the Supreme Court. Therefore, in Robertson's opinion, it's not the right piece of legislation to bring forward. "I think this one will lose," he said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up