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Majority Still Backs Legal Abortion as GOP Opposition to Medication Abortion Rises

The latest Pew survey attributes the recent dip chiefly to shifts among Republicans.

Overview

  • Sixty percent of U.S. adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, down slightly from 63% in 2024, according to Pew’s Jan. 20–26 survey of 8,512 adults.
  • Support for legal abortion among Republicans and Republican leaners fell to 36% from 41% in 2024, while Democratic views have remained broadly stable at high levels.
  • Medication abortion draws majority support overall, with 55% saying it should be legal in their state and 26% saying it should be illegal.
  • Republican opposition to medication abortion has intensified, with 43% now saying it should be illegal, up from 32% in 2024, as fewer report uncertainty.
  • Perceptions of access track state laws: 73% in states with bans say obtaining an abortion is difficult, compared with 68% in states allowing access at or near Roe’s 24‑week framework who say it is easy.