The Republican Party plans to reaffirm its stance on abortion by once again including a “human life amendment” to the Constitution in its official platform. The proposed amendment would ban all abortion with no exceptions as well as some forms of contraception. The Republican Party’s official platform committee drafted the provision Monday, and still must be approved by delegates at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida next week.

The platform states, “We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.” The amendment would outlaw many forms of contraception and in vitro fertilization, and would criminalize miscarriages. Similar amendments promoted by the radical anti-choice group Personhood USA have been on the ballots in Colorado and Mississipi and have failed. Colorado will again see a “personhood amendment” on their ballot this November. The platform draft also includes support of mandatory ultrasound bills, clinic regulations, and mandatory waiting periods.

Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia, notorious for his mandatory ultrasound law in the state, is heading the platform committee. The human life amendment has been a part of a Republican Party platform since 1980.

Media Resources: ThinkProgress 8/21/12; RH Reality Check 8/21/12; Washington Post 8/21/12; CNN 8/20/12