Activists march on Roe vs Wade anniversary

Softening stance

However, many Republicans want to soften the prevailing stance on the issue to try to win over swing voters in competitive elections.

"I feel like (the) majority of the Republican field so far is catering to the far right of the party because obviously a nationwide abortion ban is what the base wants," said Sarah Matthews, who served as a former White House deputy press secretary in the Trump administration.

"It might serve them well in a primary, but whoever is the nominee, if you take this really harsh, restrictive stance on abortion, then it's just going to come back to hurt you in the general."

Meanwhile, some Democratic governors are trying to protect access to abortion.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Friday protecting non-California residents seeking reproductive healthcare in the state. It also protects anyone performing, assisting or receiving an abortion in the state from any potential civil action originating outside the state.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order on Saturday providing similar protections. "Our administration is doing everything we can to protect individuals' right to make their own healthcare decisions," he said in a statement.

Also on Friday, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed an executive order to protect anyone involved with a legally obtained abortion from prosecution. The order bans local prosecutors from bringing abortion-related charges and state agencies from assisting in any criminal investigations without a court order.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York state signed a law on Friday to protect doctors in the state who prescribe abortion pills to patients in states where the procedure is outlawed.

"Extremist lawmakers in other states can stop their healthcare providers from supplying abortion pills. If that's your state, I feel sorry for your constituents. But they can't stop us. They can't stop our providers," Hochul said at a bill signing ceremony.

Agencies contributed to this story.