Top Republican urged murder charges for women who defied abortion ban

Mastriano was talking to WITF, a radio station, about a bill he sponsored as a state senator.

The bill would have barred most abortions when cardiac activity could be detected, which is usually about six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.

NBC News reported the remark on Tuesday. Mastriano did not immediately comment.

Mastriano has been dogged by controversy, including over his links to the January 6 insurrection.

In June, the US supreme court overturned Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling which guaranteed the right to abortion.

Since then, Democrats have enjoyed a number of striking electoral successes fueled by the issue of abortion rights, including in Republican areas such as Kansas.

Amid reports of rising voter registration among women, Democrats are seeking to make abortion rights central to midterm elections in November, when they will seek to retain control of Congress.

Republicans including Mastriano have attempted to downplay the issue and focus on economic messaging instead.