Dr Mehmet Oz has said he would not support a federal abortion if elected to the US Senate - saying the issue ought to be left up to the individual states.
Speaking at the debate with Democrat John Fetterman, designed to help voters who to vote for as governor of the battleground state of Pennsylvania, the one-time television celebrity was asked if he would back a bill being backed by fellow Republican Lindsay Graham.
“Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has introduced a federal bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks. I know that you’ve been asked about this question before. If the vote were held today, you were elected senator, you’re on the Senate floor. The clerk calls you there’s a roll call vote. Are you a yay or nay,” Mr Oz was asked, saying he had 30 seconds to answer.
The 62-year-old was quick to respond.
“I don’t even need 30 seconds I’ll give you a bigger answer,” he said. “I am not going to support federal federal rules that block the ability of states to do what they wish to do.”
He added: “Abortion decisions should be left to the states.”
