House GOP leader says Alabama abortion ban goes ‘further than I believe’

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Thursday he believes an Alabama law banning nearly all abortions goes too far. 

“It goes further than I believe, yes,” McCarthy said during a press conference when asked about the restrictive policy.

McCarthy emphasized his opposition to abortion, saying, “First of all, I believe the most precious gift God gives us is life. And I [defended] my pro-life position my whole political career. “

But he added that he’s always felt there should be exceptions — such as for cases of rape, incest and the life of a woman being at risk — when it comes to the law.

“That’s exactly what Republicans have voted on in this House. That’s what our platform says, ” McCarty continued, adding that he believes that’s where many GOP congressmen stand. 

Q: “Alabama just passed possibly the most restrictive abortion law in the country. Do you think that law goes too far?”@GOPLeader: “It goes further than I believe. Yes.” pic.twitter.com/gsUgan1V0I

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 16, 2019

The comments from the GOP House leader came just a day after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed into law the most restrictive abortion policy in the nation. 

{mosads}The law would ban abortions in virtually all instances, including for victims of rape and incest. Abortion would only be legal in the event that it’s necessary to save a woman’s life. Someone who provides an abortion in Alabama could face up to 99 years in prison. 

The law will go into effect in six months unless it faces legal changes, The Associated Press reported. Planned Parenthood has promised to sue the state over the legislation. 

State Rep. Terri Collins (R), who sponsored the bill, has said that she hopes the legislation will force higher courts to revisit Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that said a woman had a constitutional right to an abortion. 

The law’s passage earlier this week was met with widespread criticism from the Democratic Party, including several 2020 presidential candidates. 

“This ban is dangerous and exceptionally cruel—and the bill’s authors want to use it to overturn Roe v. Wade. I’ve lived in that America and let me tell you: We are not going back—not now, not ever,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on Twitter. “We will fight this. And we will win.”