Abortion

Byron Donalds Was Anti-Abortion

Highlights:

• Byron Donalds hypocritically supported efforts to ban abortion nationally.
  • Donalds said nobody was trying to push a national abortion ban.
  • Donalds supported the Life at Conception Act, which could ban abortion nationally.
    • The legislation could also threaten access to the morning-after pill and IUDs.
  • Donalds expressed support for states banning abortion as he backed DeSantis’ abortion ban in Florida.
    • Donalds praised the abortion ban in Florida.
• Byron Donalds opposed Roe v. Wade.
  • Donalds celebrated after the Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade.
  • Donalds said the fight to end abortion was not over after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
  • Donalds voted at least twice against codifying the right to abortion into law.
• Byron Donalds opposed access to contraception.
  • Donalds voted at least twice against codifying the right to contraception access.
  • Donalds voted against providing affordable access to contraception for veterans.
• Byron Donalds voted to erect additional barriers to abortion access.
  • Donalds effectively voted against reaffirming the FDA’s authority to approve reproductive health products.
    • The legislation would allow the FDA to block states from restricting medication abortion.
  • Donalds voted to prohibit interstate travel for abortion services.
  • Donalds voted against ending a prohibition of local and federal funds for abortion services in Washington, D.C.
• Byron Donalds was supported by an anti-abortion organization.
  • Donalds received an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, whose mission was to end abortion.
• Byron Donalds voted to limit reproductive care for U.S. service members.
  • Donalds voted against the Defense Department reproductive service reimbursement policy.
  • Donalds effectively voted to restrict access to reproductive care to service members and their families.
  • Donalds said the Pentagon should not “be in the business of funding abortions.”
• Byron Donalds supported so-called “Born-Alive” legislation.
  • The so-called “Born-Alive” legislation would unnecessarily criminalize doctors.
• Byron Donalds voted against funds for family planning.
  • Donalds voted against the Department Of State, Foreign Operations, And Related Programs Appropriations Act 2022, which would have provided $760 million for family planning and reproductive health programs.

Donalds Hypocritically Supported Efforts To Ban Abortion Nationally

Donalds Said Nobody Was “Trying To Push” A National Abortion Ban

Donalds On A National Abortion Ban: “Nobody’s Bringing Up A National Ban. Nobody Is Trying To Push That.” According to the Hill, “The Supreme Court case that eliminated the federal right to obtain an abortion was preceded by years of legislative attempts by congressional Republicans to chip away at those protections. But a year after the high court handed down its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, there is little appetite among Republicans in the House — the only chamber where they control the majority — to take steps to restrict abortion at the national level. […] ‘Nobody’s bringing up a national ban. Nobody is trying to push that,’ Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said. Donalds said that his read of the Dobbs decision is that ‘abortion is now to be regulated by the states, as it should have been this entire time — not by the Supreme Court and not by Congress.’” [Hill, 6/24/23]

Donalds Supported The Life At Conception Act, Which Could Ban Abortion Nationally

Donalds Was A Co-Sponsor Of The Life At Conception Act

117^th Congress: Donalds Co-Sponsored The Life At Conception Act. [H.R. 1011, Co-Sponsors, 5/11/22]

The Life At Conception Act Would Ban Abortion Nationwide

UC Davis School Of Law Professor Mary Ziegler On The Life At Conception Act: “It Would Be A Nationwide Abortion Ban.” According to the Los Angeles Times, “The Life at Conception Act is fewer than 300 words, but its language leaves little room for ambiguity on abortion. The bill, introduced in the U.S. House earlier in the congressional session, seeks ‘equal protection for the right to life of each born and preborn human person,’ specifying that it covers ‘all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being.’ Put simply: ‘It would be a nationwide abortion ban,’ said Mary Ziegler, a professor at UC Davis School of Law who studies reproductive rights.” [Los Angeles Times, 8/29/22]

The Legislation Could Also Threaten Access To The Morning-After Pill And IUDs

Ziegler Claimed The Legislation Could Ban Some Forms Of Contraception, Including The Morning-After Pill. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The Life at Conception Act is fewer than 300 words, but its language leaves little room for ambiguity on abortion. The bill, introduced in the U.S. House earlier in the congressional session, seeks ‘equal protection for the right to life of each born and preborn human person,’ specifying that it covers ‘all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being.’ Put simply: ‘It would be a nationwide abortion ban,’ said Mary Ziegler, a professor at UC Davis School of Law who studies reproductive rights. […] Ziegler, the UC Davis law professor, said the legislation’s ban on abortion could also extend to some contraceptives, such as morning-after pills, she said.” [Los Angeles Times, 8/29/22]

Legal Scholars Said The Legislation Could Threaten Access To IUDs. According to New York, “The Life at Conception Act is a classic ‘personhood’ bill treating every fetus, embryo, and fertilized ovum as just like me and you when it comes to fundamental rights. While the bill does say it does not ‘authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child,’ there’s no exception to the ‘right to life’ for pregnancies involving rape, incest, or even threats to the life of the mother. Most legal scholars believe ‘personhood’ statutes could ban morning-after pills or the use of IUDs.” [New York, 8/31/22]

Donalds Expressed Support For States Banning Abortion As He backed DeSantis’ Abortion Ban In Florida

Donalds Praised The Abortion Ban In Florida

Donalds Praised DeSantis’ Florida 15-Week Abortion Ban. According to Donalds’ Personal Twitter, “As we celebrate this Holy Week and reflect on its true meaning, we recognize the profound dignity of EVERY human life, from the womb to the tomb. Today, @GovRonDeSantis signed the 15 week abortion ban, protecting the unborn in Florida and our most important God-given right—LIFE.” [Twitter, @ByronDonalds, 4/14/22]

• April 14, 2022: DeSantis Signed A 15-Week Abortion Ban In Florida. According to NPR, “Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, making Florida the latest state to restrict access to the medical procedure. Just two days ago, Oklahoma's governor signed a bill that would make performing an abortion a felony in most cases. The new Florida law, which takes effect July 1, will replace a previous one that allowed abortions until 24 weeks of pregnancy.” [NPR, 4/14/22]

Donalds Opposed Roe v. Wade

Donalds Celebrated After The Supreme Court Officially Overturned Roe v. Wade

June 2022: The Supreme Court Overturned Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022: The Supreme Court Overturned Roe v. Wade. According to the New York Times, “The Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion after almost 50 years in a decision that will transform American life, reshape the nation’s politics and lead to all but total bans on the procedure in about half of the states.” [New York Times, 6/24/22]

Donalds Celebrated The Supreme Court Decision

Donalds Said Roe v. Wade Was “Unconstitutional.” According to Donalds’ Official Twitter, “Today, we saw the rule of law established under the Constitution prevail. This monumental decision ends a once unconstitutional ruling riddled w/ judicial activism. Now the right to abortion rests in the hands of the people, where it belongs.” [Twitter, @RepDonaldsPress, 6/24/22]

Donalds Thanked The Supreme Court After They Overturned Roe v. Wade. According to Donalds’ Facebook, “After 50 years of overreach, power has been sent back to the people’s elected representatives thanks to #SCOTUS overturning Roe v. Wade. This was the correct decision. In Florida, we will protect life.” [Facebook, Byron Donalds, 6/24/22]

Donalds Celebrated The One-Year Anniversary Of When Roe v. Wade Was Overturned

Donalds: “Today, We Celebrate 1 Yr Since The Long Overdue Overturning Of Roe V. Wade.” According to Donalds’ Personal Twitter, “Today, we celebrate 1 yr since the long overdue overturning of Roe v. Wade. This historic ruling gave power to the people & ultimately saved countless lives. I am proud to stand for life & stand with the majority of other nations against the radical policy of abortion on demand.” [Twitter, @ByronDonalds, 6/24/23]

Donalds Said The Fight Was Not Over After Roe v. Wade Was Overturned

Donalds: “On June 24, 2022 Roe v. Wade Was Overturned, But The Fight Is Not Yet Over.” According to Donalds’ Personal Twitter, “On June 24, 2022 Roe v. Wade was overturned, but the fight is not yet over. Every child deserves a right to life. Last week I voted to save infants born-alive during an abortion procedure & to protect pro-life facilities, groups and churches under attack. Today we #MarchforLife.” [Twitter, @ByronDonalds, 1/20/23]

Donalds Voted At Least Twice Against Codifying The Right To Abortion Into Law

2022: Donalds Voted Against The Women’s Health Protection Act, Which Would Have Codified The Right To Receive Abortion Services And The Right For Medical Providers To Provide Abortion Services And Against Prohibiting Abortion Restrictions. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would “statutorily establish that health care providers have a right to provide and patients have a right to receive abortion services, and it would prohibit certain restrictions related to abortion services. The bill would specify that rights established by the bill may not be restricted by certain requirements or limitations related to abortion services, including prohibitions on abortion prior to fetal viability, or after fetal viability if a provider determines that continuation of a pregnancy would pose a risk to a patient's life or health; requirements that patients disclose reasons for seeking an abortion or make medically unnecessary in-person appointments; requirements that providers provide medically inaccurate information or perform specific medical tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services; limitations on providers' ability to prescribe drugs based on good-faith medical judgment, provide services via telemedicine or provide immediate services when a delay would pose a risk to a patient's health; and requirements for facilities and personnel that would not apply to facilities providing medically comparable procedures. It would also prohibit requirements or limitations that are similar to those established by the bill or that impede access to abortion services and expressly or implicitly single out abortion services, providers or facilities.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 219-210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 360, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296]

• The Bill Was Another An Attempt To Codify Roe v. Wade Into Law. According to the Washington Post, “One bill, the Women’s Health Protection Act, would enshrine the protections of Roe v. Wade into law. The House already passed the bill last year, but it did not advance in a Senate vote in May. The House passed the bill, 219-210, prompting applause from Democrats in the chamber. All Republicans and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex.) voted against the measure.” [Washington Post, 7/15/22]
• The Bill Authorized The Justice Department, Medical Providers, And Individuals And Entities To Sue In Federal Court Against Any Governmental Entity That Were To Implement Abortion Restrictions. According to Congressional Quarterly, “It would authorize the Justice Department, health care providers and private individuals and entities to bring a civil action in U.S. district court for injunctive relief against any state or government official charged with implementing or enforcing a requirement or limitation challenged as a violation of rights established by the bill. It would authorize district courts to award appropriate equitable relief, including temporary, preliminary or permanent injunctive relief, and to award costs of litigation to a prevailing plaintiff. It would require courts to ‘liberally construe’ provisions of the bill to effectuate its purposes.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22]

2021: Donalds Voted Against The Women's Health Protection Act Of 2021, Which Would Have Protected The Right To Abortion Access And Prohibit Restrictions On Abortion. In September 2021, Donalds voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “statutorily establish that health care providers have a right to provide and patients have a right to receive abortion services, and it would prohibit certain restrictions related to abortion services. The bill would specify that rights established by the bill may not be restricted by certain requirements or limitations related to abortion services, including prohibitions on abortion prior to fetal viability, or after fetal viability if a provider determines that continuation of a pregnancy would pose a risk to a patient's life or health; requirements that patients disclose reasons for seeking an abortion or make medically unnecessary in-person appointments; requirements that providers provide medically inaccurate information or perform specific medical tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services; limitations on providers' ability to prescribe drugs based on good-faith medical judgment, provide services via telemedicine or provide immediate services when a delay would pose a risk to a patient's health; and requirements for facilities and personnel that would not apply to facilities providing medically comparable procedures. It would also prohibit requirements or limitations that are similar to those established by the bill or that impede access to abortion services and expressly or implicitly single out abortion services, providers or facilities.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 218-211. The Senate failed to invoke cloture on the bill in February 2022. [House Vote 295, 9/24/21; Congressional Quarterly, 9/24/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3755]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Three Times To Attempt To Block The Women’s Protection Act

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Codifying Abortion Access Protections. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for the “Fischbach, R-Minn., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote 209-218. [House Vote 359, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Codifying Abortion Access Protections. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Women's Health Protection Act (HR 8296).” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 217-204. [House Vote 304, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Codifying Abortion Access Protections. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Women's Health Protection Act (HR 8296).” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 218-208. [House Vote 303, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]

Donalds Opposed Access To Contraception

Donalds Voted At Least Twice Against Codifying The Right To Contraception Access

2022: Donalds Voted Against Codifying The Right To Access Contraceptives And The Right For Health Care Providers To Provide Contraceptives To Their Patients. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Right to Contraception Act, which would “protect a person's ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception, and to protect a health care provider's ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 228-195, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 385, 7/21/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/21/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373]

• The Bill Resulted From The U.S. Supreme Court’s Overturning Of Roe v. Wade And Concerns That The Court May Revisit Same-Sex Marriage And The Right To Contraception. According to the New York Times, “House Democratic leaders opted to move forward with the bill after the Supreme Court’s decision overturning abortion rights raised worries about the prospect that the justices might revisit cases that affirmed same-sex marriage rights and the right to contraception. The debate in Congress thrust the issue into the midterm election campaign, where Democrats are eager to draw a distinction between their party’s support for L.G.B.T.Q. rights and opposition by many Republicans.” [New York Times, 7/19/22]
• The Bill Would Have Established The Federal Right For Contraception Access And The Right For Medical Providers To Provide Contraceptives. According to Reuters, “The bill would create a federal right for people to access contraceptives and for doctors and pharmacists to provide them. Contraceptives are used by 88% of U.S. women of childbearing age who are not trying to get pregnant, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy group.” [Reuters, 7/21/22]
• The Bill Would Protect Oral And Emergency Contraceptives, Intrauterine Devices, And Condoms. According to the Hill, “Contraceptives protected under the legislation include oral and emergency medications, intrauterine devices and condoms.” [Hill, 7/21/22]
• The Bill Would Allow The U.S. Attorney General, Health Care Providers, And Injured Individuals To Sue States That Violate The Right To Contraception Access. According to the Hill, “Additionally, the bill authorizes the attorney general, health care providers and other individuals to take civil action against any states that violate the provisions of the bill.” [Hill, 7/21/22]

Donalds Effectively Voted At Least Three Times Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for the “Hinson, R-Iowa, motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote 190-234. [House Vote 384, 7/21/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/21/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1232) that would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 219-200. [House Vote 366, 7/19/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1232]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1232) that would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 219-199. [House Vote 365, 7/19/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1232]

Donalds Voted Against Providing Affordable Access To Contraception For Veterans

2021: Donalds Voted Against Prohibiting Copayments For Contraceptives Covered By Health Insurance Plans Without A Cost-Sharing Requirement For Veterans. In June 2021, Donalds voted against the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit the Veterans Affairs Department from requiring copayments from a veteran for any contraceptive items that are required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 245-181, after initially failing to meet 2/3 of the vote on June 15th, 2021. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 184, 6/24/21; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 239]

Donalds Voted To Erect Additional Barriers To Abortion Access

Donalds Effectively Voted Against Reaffirming The FDA’s Authority To Approve Reproductive Health Products

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Reaffirming The Preemption Of The FDA’s Authority Regarding Reproductive Health Product Approvals Over State Or Local Regulations That Restrict Reproductive Health Products. In December 2022, according to the Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “automatic agreement to […] a resolution (H Res 1434) that would reaffirm that the Food and Drug Administration’s authorities to approve or authorize reproductive health products have a preemptive effect with respect to any state or local laws that inhibit access to or use of any reproductive health product.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule and automatic agreement to the resolution. The House adopted the rule and adopted the resolution by a vote of 216 – 193. [House Vote 531, 12/21/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/21/22; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1529; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1434]

The Legislation Would Allow The FDA To Block States From Restricting Medication Abortion

The Legislation Would Allow The FDA To Block States From Restricting Access To Medication Abortion. According to a press release from Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), “The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure by U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mondaire Jones (D-NY) to reaffirm the federal Food and Drug Administration’s authority to block states from enacting new regulations that would limit a patient’s access to reproductive health care products – including abortion pills.” [Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Press Release, 12/22/22]

Donalds Voted To Prohibit Interstate Travel For Abortion Services

2022: Donalds Voted Against Allowing Patients Seeking Abortions To Travel To A State Where The Procedure Is Legal If It Is Banned Or Restricted In Their Home State. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which would “prohibit individuals from interfering with patients' ability to access to abortion services in another state where the services are legal. Specifically, it would prohibit any person acting under color of state law from preventing, restricting or retaliating against health care providers' ability to provide abortion services that are legal in the provider's state to patients who do not reside in that state; a person's ability to assist in providing such services; or a person's ability to travel or assist another person traveling across state lines to obtain an abortion. It would also prohibit individuals from preventing, restricting or retaliating against the interstate movement of any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the termination of a pregnancy.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 223-205, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 362, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Three Times Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for the “Johnson, R-La., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote 209-219. [House Vote 361, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (HR 8297).” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 217-204. [House Vote 304, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]

2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (HR 8297).” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 218-208. [House Vote 303, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]

Donalds Voted Against Ending A Prohibition Of Local And Federal Funds For Abortion Services In Washington, D.C.

2022: Donalds Voted Against Ending A Prohibition On The Use Of Local And Federal Funds For Abortion Services In D.C. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023, which would “end a prohibition on the use of local and federal funds for abortion services in the District of Columbia.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the legislation. Congress passed and signed into law the FY 2023 Budget through H.R. 2617. [House Vote 383, 7/20/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/20/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8294]

Donalds Was Supported By An Anti-Abortion Organization

Donalds Received An A+ Rating From Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Whose Mission Was To End Abortion

Donalds Said He Was “Proud” To Receive An A+ Rating From Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. According to Donalds’ Official Twitter, “I'm incredibly proud to announce that I've received an A+ rating from the @sbaprolife Score Card for the first session of the 118th Congress. Despite what Democrats say, standing for LIFE isn't controversial. It's the humane and moral thing to do. I will always be #ProLife.” [Twitter, @RepDonaldsPress, 1/17/23]

• Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Mission Was To End Abortion. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s site, “Pro-Life America's mission is to end abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.” [Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s site, accessed 2/12/24]

Donalds Voted To Limit Reproductive Care For U.S. Service Members

Donalds Voted Against The Defense Department Reproductive Service Reimbursement Policy

2023: Donalds Voted To Prohibit The Use Of VA Funding To Provide Abortions Or Allow Abortion Counseling. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would “also prohibit the use of the bill's funds to provide abortions, to implement a September 2022 VA rule that allows abortion counseling and establishes exceptions for the prohibition on abortions in the medical benefits package for veterans and civilian beneficiaries, to provide surgical procedures or hormone therapies for gender-affirming care, and to fly or display a flag over a VA facility or national cemetery that is not the U.S. flag, military-related or another government jurisdiction” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 211, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 380, 7/27/23; Congressional Quarterly, 7/27/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4366]

• The Bill Would Prevent VA Medical Centers From Performing Abortions. According to the Hill, “But the administration did not hold back its criticism of policies in the bill it said would prevent VA medical centers from being able to perform abortions or ‘provide hormone therapies for the purpose of gender-affirming care.’” [Hill, 7/27/23]

2023: Donalds Voted To Repeal A 2022 Defense Department Policy Regarding Reproductive Health Care And Prohibit The Defense Department From Paying For Abortion Services. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would “repeal a 2022 Defense Department memorandum regarding access to reproductive health care and prohibit the department from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 328, 7/14/23; Congressional Quarterly, 7/14/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2670]

2023: Donalds Voted For An Amendment That Would Repeal A Reproductive Health Care Policy In The Defense Department And Prohibit The Department From Paying For Abortion Services. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would “repeal a 2022 Defense Department memorandum regarding access to reproductive health care and prohibit the department from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.” The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 221 to 213. [House Vote 300, 7/13/23; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2670; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 222]

Donalds Said The Pentagon Should Not “Be In The Business Of Funding Abortions”

Donalds: “The Pentagon Shouldn’t Be In The Business Of Funding Abortions. That’s Not Their Job.” According to Donalds’ Personal Twitter, “The Pentagon shouldn’t be in the business of funding abortions. That’s not their job. This isn’t radical. This is common sense.” [Twitter, @ByronDonalds, 7/13/23]

Donalds Supported So-Called “Born-Alive” Legislation

Donalds Voted For The So-Called “Born-Alive” Abortion Survivors Protection Act

2023: Donalds Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Which Would Mandate Health Care Workers To Provide Proper Medical Care To An Infant Born After A Failed Abortion. In January 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would “require health care practitioners to provide the same care to a child that is ‘born alive’ after an abortion or attempted abortion as they would for a child born at the same gestational age and to ensure the child is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital; require hospital and clinic practitioners and employees to report any knowledge of failures to provide such care; and impose criminal fines and penalties for failures to meet these requirements. It would state that a child born alive under these conditions is a legal person under U.S. law, entitled to the protections of U.S. law, and it would specifically make any act that kills or attempts to kill such a child punishable as murder or attempted murder. The bill would also prohibit the prosecution of the mother of a child born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion and permit such mothers to seek relief through civil action against any person who violates the bill’s requirements, including monetary and punitive damages.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 29, 1/11/23; Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 26]

2023: Donalds Effectively Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Which Would Mandate Health Care Workers To Provide Proper Medical Care To An Infant Born After A Failed Abortion. In January 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “motion to recommit the bill that would require medical professionals to provide medical care for children who are born alive during an attempted abortion procedure to the House Judiciary Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 212-219. [House Vote 28, 1/11/23; Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 26]

The So-Called “Born-Alive” Legislation Would Unnecessarily Criminalize Doctors

Vox: “Reproductive Rights And Physician Groups Say The Bill Could Criminalize Doctors And Is Unnecessary.” According to Vox, “The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday is hearing testimony on a bill that would put in place requirements for the care of infants born after failed abortions — and could send doctors to prison if they fail to comply […] But reproductive rights and physician groups say the bill could criminalize doctors and is unnecessary — not only because a live birth after an abortion attempt is an extremely unlikely scenario but also because laws already exist to protect an infant in this instance anyway. ‘The bill maligns and vilifies providers and patients to push a false narrative about abortion later in pregnancy,’ Dr. Kristyn Brandi, a board member of Physicians for Reproductive Health, told Vox in an email last year.” [Vox, 2/25/19]

Abortions Later In Pregnancy Were Very Rare, And Were Not Requested By Patients In Labors. According to Vox, “Abortions in the third trimester are very rare: Just 1.4 percent of all abortions take place at 21 weeks or beyond, according to Planned Parenthood. The situation described in the Virginia committee hearing simply doesn’t come up, Brandi said — ‘patients do not request abortion when they are in labor and doctors do not provide it.’” [Vox, 2/25/19]

Protections Existed For Babies Born After An Attempted Abortion. According to Vox, “Even if a child were to be born after an abortion attempt, she said, laws already exist to protect the baby. In 2002, Congress passed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which guaranteed full legal rights to infants born at any stage of development. That bill, which passed with bipartisan support, did not include criminal penalties for doctors and did not impose specific requirements on medical care.” [Vox, 2/25/19]

Donalds Voted Against Funds For Family Planning

Donalds Voted Against Legislation To Provide $760 Million For Family Planning And Reproductive Health Programs

The Department Of State, Foreign Operations, And Related Programs Appropriations Act 2022 Would Have Provided $760 Million For Family Planning And Reproductive Health Programs

2021: Donalds Voted Against Providing $4.6 Billion for Global Health Programs, Including $760 Million For Family Planning And Reproductive Health Programs. In July 2021, Donalds voted against the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide $4.6 billion for global health programs, including $760 million for family planning and reproductive health programs. It would provide over $3 billion to address climate change and other environmental issues, including $1.6 billion for a multilateral Green Climate Fund to help developing countries address climate change, $269 million for renewable energy programs, and $125 million to combat wildlife trafficking.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217-212, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The bill ultimately became law. [House Vote 243, 7/28/21; Congressional Quarterly, 7/28/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4373]