Abortion in the United States

===Intact dilation and extraction===
{{further|Intact dilation and extraction}}
{{see also|Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act}}
In 2003, the U.S. Congress outlawed intact dilation and extraction when it passed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. A [[Rasmussen Reports]] poll four days after the Supreme Court's opinion in ''[[Gonzales v. Carhart]]'' found that 40% of respondents "knew the ruling allowed states to place some restrictions on specific abortion procedures." Of those who knew of the decision, 56% agreed with the decision and 32% were opposed.<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2007/April%20Dailies/partialBirthAbortion.htm Most Who Know of Decision Agree With Supreme Court on Partial Birth Abortion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427034834/http://rasmussenreports.com/2007/April%20Dailies/partialBirthAbortion.htm |date=April 27, 2007 }} ''Rasmussen Reports''. April 22, 2007. Retrieved on April 26, 2007</ref> An ABC poll from 2003 found that 62% of respondents thought "partial-birth abortion" should be illegal; a similar number of respondents wanted an exception "if it would prevent a serious threat to the woman's health".<!--<ref>[http://www.pollingreport.com/abortion.htm Abortion and Birth Control]. ''PollingReports.com'.' Retrieved April 26, 2007.</ref>-->

Gallup has repeatedly queried the American public on this issue.<ref name="gallup1"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
! Legislation !! 2011 !! 2003 !! 2000 !! 2000 !! 2000 !! 1999 !! 1998 !! 1997 !! 1996
|-
| A law that would make it illegal to perform a specific abortion procedure conducted in the last six months, or second and/or third trimester of pregnancy, known by some opponents as a partial birth abortion, except in cases necessary to save the life of the mother || 64% || 70% || 63% || 66% || 64% || 61% || 61% || 55% || 57%
|}