Rick Perry said this week that states should determine whether abortion is legal or not, rather than the federal government. The Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life group, came out today in opposition to Perry’s federalist approach.

“We agree that certainly there is a lot that can be done at the state level to reduce the number of abortion, but that does not diminish or eliminate the federal government’s responsibility to protect human life in all of its stages,” said SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement that also referred to Perry as “a long time friend of the pro-life movement.”

Dannenfelser also added that if Perry chose to run, his decision to sign the SBA List’s pledge — which Mitt Romney and Herman Cain did not sign — would be “welcome.”

“We are also anticipating his clarification that if elected he will continue his fight for life at the national level,” Dannenfelser added.