¶ Bolduc Was An Anti-Abortion Extremist
- Bolduc supported the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Bolduc said that the Supreme Court made the “right call” and that it was a “necessary correction” that was “great.”
- Bolduc opposed efforts to repeal or weaken New Hampshire’s Fetal Life Protection Act, the first modern abortion ban in New Hampshire history. Bolduc praised the law as “solid” and an example of “listening to the public.” New Hampshire’s law did not include exceptions for rape or incest and included criminal penalties for doctors.
- In 2020, Bolduc endorsed legislation to could send doctors to prison for providing legal, medically necessary abortions.
- When asked if he would vote for Mitch McConnell’s plan to ban abortion, Bolduc said he would default to a “syste that protects life.” Bolduc said he will “never go against” the pro-life principle.
- Bolduc opposed Planned Parenthood and said they should not be given “a dime” on the federal or state level. Planned Parenthood operated five clinics in New Hampshire.
¶ Bolduc Supported The Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade
NH Journal: “Bolduc Wants To See Roe Overturned…” “Retired Gen. Don Bolduc, another GOP Senate candidate, said he supports New Hampshire’s law. Bolduc wants to see Roe overturned and have states set abortion policies.” [NH Journal, 5/3/22]
Bolduc Said The Supreme Court Made The “Right Call” Overturning Roe v. Wade. According to Politico, “Hassan, who supports abortion rights, is running against a slew of Republicans who oppose them to varying degrees. State Senate President Chuck Morse, who helped pass a 24-week abortion ban last year, touted his ‘pro-life record’ in a statement after POLITICO published the draft opinion. Retired Gen. Don Bolduc said ‘if the Court rules as indicated, I believe they made the right call.’ Kevin Smith, a former executive director of conservative advocacy group Cornerstone Action, blasted Hassan and ‘the extremists in Washington’ who he said ‘support late-term abortions and taxpayer-funded abortions.’” [Politico, 5/6/22]
[VIDEO] Bolduc On The Dobbs: “It Was A Necessary Constitutional Correction … That’s Great.” “MODERATOR: ‘Please, gentlemen, respond to the Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v Wade just last week.’ [...] BOLDUC: ‘Well, it was a necessary constitutional correction. It goes back to the States. That's great.” [NH Journal GOP Primary Debate, 16:58, 6/27/22]
[VIDEO] Bolduc On The Supreme Court: “I’ll Give Them Credit” For “The Roe V. Wade Decision.” “The executive branch is ruining this country through executive orders. The judicial branch has legislated way too much. I'll give them credit recently for bringing that back in line with the Roe v. Wade decision, the gun law decision, and the decision in West Virginia.” [Live from America, 8/3/22]
[VIDEO] Bolduc Said “The Supreme Court Made The Right Decision.” “00:01 AS: Gentlemen, just to get some final clarity on this, let's just say New Hampshire's abortion ban at twenty four weeks comes to the floor of the US Senate. Are you voting yes or no? General Bolduc? 00:27 DB: I don't think that question makes any sense to me. It's already a law here in the state of New Hampshire. It's already been decided upon. The Supreme Court made the right decision. The state made the right choice.” [WMUR New Hampshire Debate, 9/8/22]; 220908_VLG_043_B
¶ Bolduc Supported New Hampshire’s Abortion Ban And Said It Did Not Go Far Enough
Bolduc Was Against Attempts To Repeal Or Amend The New Hampshire’s “Fetal Life Protection Act” Which Prevented Abortions After 24 Weeks. According to a Facebook post by Don Bolduc, “I believe that the taking of an unborn babies life must be protected. I believe that it is the responsibility of all of us to preserve life from the beginning to the end. I believe healthcare exists to save life and improve our quality of life. New Hampshire’s Fetal Life Protection Act safeguards the unborn life from being aborted beyond the 24 week/6 month term. On Tuesday, January 18 at 9:50 AM HB 1609 – FN will have a hearing before the house Health and human services committee. This bill is sponsored by six Republicans and is designed to strip out the legal protections in New Hampshire’s historic Fetal Life Protection Act. On Wednesday, January 19 at 1 PM SB399-FN sponsored by a senate democrat, will have a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee and they will be voting on a bill that will repeal the Fetal Life Protection Act. HB 1609 and SB399 both need to be defeated. Numbers in voices count. Experience has shown the abortion lobby is very effective at mobilizing those that will speak against any protections for the unborn.” [Facebook, Don Bolduc, 1/15/22]
[VIDEO] Bolduc Said The New Hampshire Abortion Law Was “Solid” And “What A Majority Of Granite Staters Want.” “Listen, I want to protect life from the beginning to the end. I think that's what our health care system is all about and that's what I think we should be all about. But that's not what we're talking about here. What we're talking about here is the extremism of Maggie Hassan. Right. There is a solid New Hampshire law here. There's a solid New Hampshire law that allows a choice up to six months. And then after that, it forbids it, except for the health of the mother, if anything should emerge. That's what a majority of Granite Staters want. That is what Granite Staters want.” [WMUR New Hampshire Debate, 9/8/22]; 220908_VLG_043_A
Bolduc Said The New Hampshire Abortion Law Was “Listening To The Public.” According to New Hampshire Public Radio, “Rick Ganley: Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v Wade, General, some states, as you know, across the country have put in place severe restrictions on abortion. Would you support federal restrictions on the procedure? Don Bolduc: I supported the Supreme Court decision because I think it was the right decision in interpreting our Constitution. I think it belongs to the states, and the states will make that decision. Majority of Granite Staters do not agree with end-of-term abortion. And so the New Hampshire legislature, listening to the people, came up with a law that prohibits it after 24 weeks, but allows it up to that point. And then one exception after the 24 weeks, which is the health of the mother. That's listening to the people. That's the legislature doing its job. And I believe that women on both sides of the issue have a better chance of being heard at the state level than they ever do at the federal level. The last 50 years, the federal level has been a disaster, and Maggie Hassan has done nothing but throw fuel on the fire and create divisiveness. So our state has it. They should have it. The federal government needs to stay out of it.” [New Hampshire Public Radio, 9/2/22]
¶ Bolduc Claimed That A Proposed New Hampshire Abortion Ban Did Not Go Far Enough
Bolduc Criticized The Abortion Ban In The 2021 New Hampshire State Budget For Not Being Restrictive Enough: “You Do Not Compromise On The Issue Of Life.” “I want to salute the legislators for doing the best they possibly can, but they had to negotiate with their own governor. This wasn't negotiations with the Democrats, this was negotiating with their own governor who has a policy of appeasement. Appease the left, CRT, life. Listen, 24 weeks, I'm told, ‘well, we never-we didn't have anything, and it's better than nothing.’ No, it's not. You do not compromise on the issue of life.” [YouTube, Life With Liz NH, 6/30/21] (VIDEO)
New Hampshire’s Abortion Ban Made No Exceptions For Rape Or Incest…
[VIDEO] WMUR Anchor: “It Has No Exceptions For Rape, Incest, Or Fatal Fetal Diagnosis.” “While the ban includes exceptions for the health of the mother, it has no exceptions for rape, incest, or fatal fetal diagnosis.” [WMUR, 6/3/21]
The New Hampshire Abortion Ban Would Only Provide Exceptions In Cases Of “Medical Emergency,” But Would Not Allow Exceptions For Rape Or Incest. According to New Hampshire Public Radio, “The proposal would prohibit abortions at or after 24 weeks gestation, except in cases of “medical emergency.” […] The measure defines medical emergency as a “condition in which an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” The bill makes no exception for rape or incest, or for fetal viability. The bill would permit medical providers to remove a fetus that has died.” [NHPR, 6/22/21]
¶ HB 2 Included A Prohibition On Abortion After 24 Weeks And An Exemption Only For A “Medical Emergency”
HB 2 Included A Prohibition On Abortion After 24 Weeks And An Exemption Only For A “Medical Emergency.” “329:44 Prohibition. I. Except in the case of a medical emergency as specifically defined in paragraph III, no abortion shall be performed, induced, or attempted by any health care provider unless a health care provider has first made a determination of the probable gestational age of the fetus. In making such a determination, the health care provider shall make such inquiries of the pregnant woman and perform or cause to be performed all such medical examinations, imaging studies, and tests as a reasonably prudent health care provider in the community, knowledgeable about the medical facts and conditions of both the woman and the fetus involved, would consider necessary to perform and consider in making an accurate diagnosis with respect to gestational age, provided, however, that the health care provider shall conduct an obstetric ultrasound examination of the patient for the purpose of making the determination. II. Except in a medical emergency as specifically defined in paragraph III, no health care provider shall knowingly perform, induce, or attempt to perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman when the probable gestational age of her fetus has been determined to be at least 24 weeks or in the absence of a determination by a health care provider pursuant to paragraph I as to the fetus’ probable gestational age. III. For the purposes of this subdivision only, ‘medical emergency’ means a condition in which an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function, as defined in RSA 329:43, V, of the pregnant woman.” [HB 2, enrolled 6/24/21]
¶ The Proposed Bill Included Criminal Penalties For Doctors Who Perform Abortions
[VIDEO]WCAX Anchor: “...The Budget Also Criminalizes Abortion…” “The trailer bill added to the budget also criminalizes abortion after 24 weeks.” [WCAX, 6/25/21]
[VIDEO] WCAX Anchor: “...Criminal Penalties For Doctors Who Perform Abortions…” [WCAX, 6/24/21]
[VIDEO] WMUR Anchor: “It Opens Doctors To Felony Charges.” “The group says the ban is dangerous because it opens doctors to felony charges if they perform the procedure after 24 weeks.” [WMUR, 6/3/21]
¶ The Abortion Ban In HB 2 Could Put Doctors In Jail For Up To Seven Years And Imposed Fines Of $100,000
The Abortion Ban In HB 2 Could Put Doctors In Jail For Up To Seven Years And Imposed Fines Of $100,000. According to WMUR, “The ad says that the law ‘could put doctors in jail for up to seven years.’ And this is true. The laws clearly says that any health care provider ‘who knowingly performs or induces an abortion in violation of this subdivision and knows that the fetus has a gestational age of at least 24 weeks, or consciously disregards a substantial risk that the fetus has a gestational age of at least 24 weeks, shall be guilty of a class B felony,’ which is punishable by imprisonment of one to seven years. The new statute also says that, ‘in addition to any other penalties the court may impose,’ the provider shall be fined at least $10,000 and possibly up to $100,000.” [WMUR, 9/30/21]
A Health Care Provider Who Performed An Abortion In Violation Of HB 2 Would Be Guilty Of A Class B Felony And Be Subject To Fines Up To $100,000. According to House Bill 2, “Criminal Penalties. Any health care provider who knowingly performs or induces an abortion in violation of this subdivision and knows that the fetus has a gestational age of at least 24 weeks, or consciously disregards a substantial risk that the fetus has a gestational age of at least 24 weeks, shall be guilty of a class B felony and, in addition to any other penalties the court may impose, be fined not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000.” [HB 2, enrolled 6/24/21]
¶ Bolduc Endorsed Imprisoning Doctors Who Performed Abortions
Bolduc Endorsed Legislation That Could Send Doctors To Prison For Performing Medically Necessary Abortions. “Bolduc is similarly opposed to abortion access. He has called to defund Planned Parenthood and has campaigned with anti-abortion rights groups dedicated to making abortion illegal. Both Messner and Bolduc have endorsed legislation that could send doctors to prison for providing legal, medically necessary abortions.” [Union Leader, 7/1/20]
¶ Bolduc Supported A Nationwide Abortion Ban
Asked Whether He’d Vote For Senator Mitch McConnell’s Plan To Ban Abortion, Bolduc Said, “I Am Always Going To Default For A System That Protects Lives.” According to WMUR “With U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell saying a federal abortion ban is possible if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, GOP Senate candidates are now facing the question of whether to back such a change. ‘I am always going to default for a system that protects lives from the beginning to the end, and I don't think I can comment on something I haven't seen yet, but what Granite Staters need to know is that I have a tremendous amount of compassion,’ said Republican Senate candidate Don Bolduc.” [WMUR, 5/9/22]
[AUDIO] Bolduc: “I’m Not Going To Vote Contrary To Pro-Life … I Will Never Go Against That Principle.” “I'm unapologetically pro-life, right? So, if I've got a part of the state that wants me – I'm not going to vote contrary to pro-life. I respect life from the beginning to the end. I saw too much destruction. I've held little babies. I know the value of life and I believe that health care exists to save lives. Health care exists to improve your life, not take one. And I will never go against that principle.” [Bolduc, Dover Republican Committee Meeting, 48:36, 12/16/21]
¶ Bolduc Opposed Federal Funding For Planned Parenthood
December 2019: Bolduc Said He Didn’t Believe In “Giving A Dime” To Planned Parenthood At Federal Or State Level. “I don’t believe we should be giving a dime to planned parenthood at the federal or state level.” [Donald Bolduc, Bolduc at Salem GOP Meeting, Salem NH, 191205_KMP_071_A]
November 2019: Bolduc Supported Defunding Planned Parenthood Saying The Organization “Drives Women To Have An Abortion.” “He supports defunding Planned Parenthood, which receives half a billion in taxpayer dollars each year, as well. He said the group ‘drives women to have an abortion.’ Bolduc, a father of three grown young men, believes women in unplanned pregnancies are increasingly faced with challenges and isolation by men who abandon them—a situation which he called ‘unforgivable.’ He explained, ‘You have a responsibility when you create a life, we need to own up to that as men. Offer them a choice for life.’” [The Resurgent, 11/7/19]
[AUDIO] Bolduc On Planned Parenthood: “It Should Be Defunded. It Should Be Defunded.” HOST: “Should Planned Parenthood be defunded?” BOLDUC: “It should be defunded. It should be defunded. I like what Chris Sununu, Governor Sununu, has put in place. Excuse me, sorry Governor. And that is the health centers that we have. The ten health centers and the 51 locations. I am all for women's health and promoting women's health. That's huge. Right? But I'm not for spending one taxpayer dollar on abortion. Not one. And, so, I would you know, I would just oppose that. It's not right. And that's what Planned Parenthood has turned into. It's not advocating women's health. It's advocating abortions and it's doing one of the most criminal, I think, types of abortions which is partial abortion which is inhumane by anybody's standard.” [WNTK, The Keith Hanson Show, 7/31/19]
Planned Parenthood Operated Five Clinics In New Hampshire
2020: Planned Parenthood Operated Five Separate Health Clinics In New Hampshire. According to Planned Parenthood’s website the organization operated five separate clinics in the state of New Hampshire. Planned Parenthood has health clinics in Claremont, Derry, Exeter, Keene, and Manchester. [Health Centers In New Hampshire, Planned Parenthood, Accessed 2/19/20]
2018: Family Planning, Counseling, And Contraception Accounted For 37 Percent Of Planned Parenthood Services In New Hampshire; Abortion Accounted For Only 7.5 Percent. “According to an annual 2018 report, family planning, counseling and contraception accounted for 37% of Planned Parenthood services in New Hampshire, while abortion care accounted for 7.5%. Leach said the Lovering Center is roughly on par with those statistics.” [Seacoast Online, 8/24/19]
¶ Bolduc Claimed Abortion Killed More People Than Gun Violence
[AUDIO] Bolduc Stated That More People Were Killed By Abortion Than By Gun Violence. “I’m a Senate candidate, I don’t believe in punishing lawful gun owners, there should be punishment for those that misuse them; More people are killed by abortion than by gun violence; Less people killed by guns than anything in society but we focus on that because they want to disarm you and control you via uncertainty and fear” [Don Bolduc, Gun Course Conversation with Don Bolduc , 10/3/2021]