Republicans omit national abortion ban from platform for first time in 40 years

Party instead opts to focus on power of states to regulate abortion in move that reflects Trump's position

For the first time in 40 years, the Republican party has omitted a national abortion ban from its official party platform - opting instead to focus on the power of states to regulate abortion in a move that reflects Donald Trump's preferred position.

Fourteen states have adopted near-total abortion bans since the supreme court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022. Roe had provided a federal constitutional right to obtain an abortion.