Sen. Manchin Appears to Be Only Democrat Who Stood During Trump’s Call to Stop Late-Term Abortions

Democratic women of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) (C), remain seated as Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) stands and applauds in front of them during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington on Feb. 5, 2019. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) appeared to be the only Democratic lawmaker to stand and clap when President Donald Trump called for a ban on late-term abortions during his State of the Union address on Feb. 5.

“Lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth,” Trump said during his address.

“These are living, feeling, beautiful babies who will never get the chance to share their love and dreams with the world,” the president added. “And then, we had the case of the Governor of Virginia where he basically stated he would execute a baby after birth.”

Trump said he is now going to ask Congress “to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb.”

Manchin was photographed standing and clapping during Trump’s comment on abortion.

A journalist with Real Clear Politics asked Manchin about why he stood. “Late term abortions are just horrific...totally just wrong,” he said.

Trump’s comments come after several states passed or proposed measures to expand abortion.

Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Maine, New Mexico, and Maryland have proposals on the table.

New York state, meanwhile, passed the Reproductive Health Act on Jan. 22, which codifies a woman’s ability to get an abortion.

President Donald Trump, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence looking on, delivers the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Feb. 5, 2019. Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images

The new law allows a mother to have an abortion if there is an absence of fetal vitality or the pregnancy is within 24 weeks of conception.

It also allows abortion after the 24-week mark if a doctor acting on “good faith” determines that the abortion is necessary to protect the life, or health, of the mother. The term “health” is not defined in the new law.

A number of pro-life groups have pilloried New York and Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the measure, namely after he directed buildings and bridges to be illuminated in pink to celebrate the law.

Pro-life group New York State Right to Life described the bill as “extreme,” saying it will expand abortion past 24 weeks through birth.

In addition to abortion, Trump also touched on socialism, border security, criminal justice reform, and infrastructure.

“Now is the time for Congress to show the world that America is committed to ending illegal immigration and putting the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers out of business,” Trump said about border security.

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol Building on Feb. 5, 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

“We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens. Not one more American life should be lost because our nation failed to control its very dangerous border,” the president added

“Here in the United States we are alarmed by the new calls to adopt socialism in our country,” he said. “America was founded on liberty and independence and not government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free and we will stay free.”

“Tonight we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country,” he added.

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images