¶ Stefanik Bad On Abortion
Highlights
- Elise Stefanik supported national abortion bans.
- In 2023, Stefanik expressed openness towards a 15-week abortion ban.
- In 2022, Stefanik cosponsored a 15-week abortion ban.
- Stefanik voted at least twice for a national 20-week abortion ban.
- The legislation would criminalize doctors who performed abortions.
- Stefanik effectively voted at least twice against exceptions to abortion bans if the mother’s life was in danger.
- Elise Stefanik supported the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- Elise Stefanik worked for several anti-abortion extremists.
- In 2012, Stefanik was the policy director for the Republican National Convention’s platform committee which supported a constitutional ban on abortion.
- In 2012, Stefanik was the debate prep coach for Paul Ryan on Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign during a campaign where both nominees opposed Roe v. Wade.
- In 2011, Stefanik was the deputy policy director for Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign as he crusaded against Roe v. Wade.
- Elise Stefanik garnered support from the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List throughout her career.
- Elise Stefanik repeatedly went after Planned Parenthood, voting to defund the health care provider at least eight times.
- Elise Stefanik voted against protecting and expanding abortion access.
- Elise Stefanik voted at least three times for the so-called “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”
- Elise Stefanik voted at least once to ban governments from discriminating against a conscientious objecting insurance provider.
- Elise Stefanik voted against codifying access to contraceptives.
- Elise Stefanik voted for legislation which blocked federal funding for reproductive health.
- Stefanik voted at least twice to permanently ban federal funds to pay for abortion or abortion coverage.
- Elise Stefanik effectively voted to bar funding to school-based health centers if they referred abortion care.
- Elise Stefanik voted against condemning ICE for referring detainees for hysterectomies and other unnecessary invasive gynecological procedures.
- Elise Stefanik voted for the global gag rule on abortion care.
- Elise Stefanik voted for legislation funding Zika while explicitly stipulating that the funding could not be used for abortions.
- Elise Stefanik effectively voted against guaranteeing privacy for people who received abortion care.
- Elise Stefanik effectively voted against reaffirming the FDA’s authority regarding reproductive health product approvals over state or local regulations.
- Elise Stefanik urged Republicans to continue talking about abortion in close races.
¶ Stefanik Supported National Abortion Bans
¶ Stefanik Touted Efforts By Republicans To Introduce A National Abortion Ban
Stefanik Touted Efforts By Republicans To Introduce A National Abortion Ban. According to the Washington Examiner, “House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) signaled on Tuesday that congressional Republicans will begin the process of introducing a 15-week federal abortion ban. Republicans, both in Congress and on the campaign trail, have been debating the issue since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, and Stefanik’s speech sets a marker for the discussion for the 2024 election cycle. The right to life ‘is fundamental to human rights and the American dream,’ Stefanik said during a Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America event celebrating the anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.” [Washington Examiner, 6/20/23]
¶ 2022: Stefanik Co-Sponsored A National Abortion Ban
2022: Stefanik Co-Sponsored Legislation Which Would Ban Abortions Nationwide After The 15th Week Of Pregnancy. According to North Country Public Radio, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is a co-sponsor of a new bill that would ban abortions nationwide after the 15th week of pregnancy. Republicans introduced the bill on Tuesday. It contains exceptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening physical conditions, but does not make exceptions for ‘psychological or emotional conditions.’ At a press conference in Washington, Republican leaders did not commit to bringing the bill to a vote if they take over the House majority. According to The Hill, Stefanik said the bill is ‘something that we’ll discuss with a majority.’” [North Country Public Radio, 9/16/22]
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Twice For A National 20-Week ABortion Ban
2017: Stefanik Voted For Legislation To Ban Abortion Nationally After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy. In October 2017, Stefanik voted for legislation banning abortion after the fetus is 20-weeks old. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, if the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. The bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the ‘potential’ to survive outside the womb.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 237 to 189. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 549, 10/3/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/3/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
2015: Stefanik Voted For A Bill That Would Prohibit Abortions Nationally After 20 Weeks Gestation. In May 2015, Stefanik voted for a bill that would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of gestation and would impose criminal penalties on doctors that violated the ban. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would, “prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape if, as amended, for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. As amended, the bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the ‘potential’ to survive outside the womb, and, if the fetus is born alive, the bill would require that the infant be provided medical care and immediately be transported and admitted to a hospital. As amended, women wishing to have abortions under the bill’s exceptions would need to sign (along with the doctor and a witness) an informed consent authorization form detailing the age of the fetus and stating that, if born alive, would be given medical assistance and transported to a hospital.” The vote was on passage and the House passed the bill 242 to 184. Cloture on the motion to proceed on the bill was blocked in the Senate. [House Vote 223, 5/13/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/13/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/12/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
¶ Ninety-Nine Percent Of Abortions Were Before 21 Weeks And Those After Were Usually Due To Complex Situations
Ninety-Nine Percent Of Abortions Were Before 21 Weeks And Those After Were Usually Due To Complex Situations. According to Planned Parenthood Action Fund, “Nearly 99 percent of abortions occur before 21 weeks, but when they are needed later in pregnancy, it’s often in very complex circumstances. For example, severe fetal anomalies and serious risks to the woman’s health — the kind of situations where a woman and her doctor need every medical option available.” [Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Accessed 10/11/17]
¶ The Bill Would Sentence Doctors To Up To Five Years In Jail For Violating The Ban
The Bill Would Sentence Doctors To Up To Five Years In Jail For Violating The Ban. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill imposes criminal penalties on physicians who violate the ban, with violations subject to a maximum five-year jail sentence, fines or both. It prohibits the prosecution of the woman obtaining the abortion, however, either as the perpetrator or as a conspirator to violate the ban.” [Congressional Quarterly, 5/12/15]
¶ Stefanik At Least Twice Effectively Voted Against Exceptions To Abortion Bans If The Health Of The Mother Was In Danger
2017: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Allowing An Exception For The Health Of The Mother From A Federal Abortion Ban. In October 2017, Stefanik effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “add[ed] an exception to the 20-week abortion ban for abortions necessary to save the health of the pregnant woman.” The underlying legislation was a 20-week abortion ban. The House rejected the motion to recommit by a vote of 187 to 238. [House Vote 548, 10/3/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/3/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
2015: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Allowing An Exception To A Federal Abortion Ban If The Health Of The Woman Was In Danger. In May 2015, Stefanik effectively voted against an exception to a 20-week abortion ban for when the life of the pregnant woman was at risk. According to the Congressional Quarterly, the legislation was a motion to “recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would add an exception to the 20-week abortion ban for abortions necessary to save the health of the pregnant woman.” The larger legislation was HR 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have prohibited “an abortion from being performed if the probably post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater” except where it is necessary to save the life of the mother, or in the case of rape or incest if the woman had had counseling and had reported the incident. The vote was on a motion to recommit with instructions and the House rejected the motion 181 to 246. H.R. 36 passed the House on May 13, 2015 in a vote 242 to 184. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 222, 5/13/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/13/15; Congress.gov, 5/13/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
¶ Stefanik Supported Overturning Of Roe v. Wade
¶ 2022: Stefanik Applauded The Overturning Of Roe v. Wade
2022: Stefanik On The Overturning Of Roe v. Wade: “We Applaud This Historic Ruling, Which Will Save Countless Innocent Lives.” According to Stefanik’s press release accessed via the Wayback Machine, “Today, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization: ‘Every unborn child is precious, extraordinary, and worthy of protection. We applaud this historic ruling, which will save countless innocent lives.” [Rep. Elise Stefanik accessed via the Wayback Machine, 6/24/22]
Stefanik: “The Supreme Court Is Right To Return The Power To Protect The Unborn To The People’s Elected Representatives In Congress And The States.” According to Stefanik’s press release accessed via the Wayback Machine, “The Supreme Court is right to return the power to protect the unborn to the people’s elected representatives in Congress and the states. In the days and weeks following this decision, we must work to continue to reject extreme policies that seek to allow late-term abortions and taxpayer dollars to fund these elective procedures.” [Rep. Elise Stefanik accessed via the Wayback Machine, 6/24/22]
¶ 2021: Stefanik Signed Onto The Amicus Brief Backing Mississippi’s Challenge To Roe v. Wade
2021: Stefanik Signed Onto The Amicus Brief Backing Mississippi’s Challenge To Roe v. Wade. According to Stefanik’s press release accessed via the Wayback Machine, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has signed a Congressional Member Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), led by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and co-signed by several House Republican Members, urging SCOTUS to uphold the constitutionality of pre-viability restrictions on abortion in Mississippi State law, or return the case to the lower courts for full consideration.” [Rep. Elise Stefanik, 7/29/21]
Stefanik On The Amicus Brief: “I Am Proud To Join My House And Senate Colleagues In Sending This Amicus Brief To Stand Up For The Unborn And Give States The Clarity They Deserve.” According to Stefanik’s press release accessed via the Wayback Machine, “‘The standard for viability through the eyes of the Supreme Court remains unclear. This allows lower Courts to interpret the viability standard differently, negatively impacting states’ ability to determine their own abortion regulations,’ said Congresswoman Stefanik. ‘The vast majority of Americans do not support abortion after the first three months of pregnancy. I am proud to join my House and Senate colleagues in sending this amicus brief to stand up for the unborn and give states the clarity they deserve.’” [Rep. Elise Stefanik, 7/29/21]
¶ Stefanik Worked For Anti-Abortion Extremists
¶ Stefanik Was The Policy Director For The 2012 Republican National Convention’s Platform Committee
¶ Stefanik Was Policy Director Of The 2012 Republican National Convention
Stefanik Was Policy Director Of The 2012 Republican National Convention Platform Committee.
[GOP.com – The Platform Committee, accessed via the Wayback Machine, 11/6/12]
¶ The Republican 2012 Platform Called For A Constitutional Ban On Abortion
The 2012 Republican Platform Supported A Constitutional Ban On Abortion. According to the New York Times, “The Democratic platform supports same-sex marriage for the first time — ‘We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples,’ it reads — and reaffirms the party’s support for abortion rights. The Republican platform supports the passage of constitutional amendments that would ban abortion and define marriage as ‘the union of one man and one woman.’” [New York Times, 9/5/12]
¶ The Platform’s Policy Did Not Include Exemptions For Rape, Incest, Or To Save The Life Of The Mother
The Platform’s Policy Did Not Include Exemptions For Rape, Incest, Or To Save The Life Of The Mother. According to Politico, “Even as Mitt Romney sought to quash the furor surrounding Todd Akin’s ’legitimate’ rape comments, the Republican platform committee here approved an abortion plank that includes no exemptions for rape, incest or even to save the life of the mother. The platform committee instead approved draft language Tuesday, calling for a ‘Human Life Amendment’ that gives legal protection to the unborn. Democrats quickly labeled the GOP language the ‘Akin Plank,’ referring to the Missouri Senate candidate’s statements that victims of ‘legitimate rape’ rarely get pregnant.” [Politico, 8/21/12]
¶ Stefanik Worked On The Romney-Ryan Presidential Campaign As Ryan’s Debate Coach
¶ 2012: Stefanik Worked On The Romney-Ryan Presidential Campaign
2012: Stefanik Was Ryan’s Debate Prep Coach During The Romney-Ryan Presidential Campaign. According to Politico, “Career: White House domestic policy aide; deputy policy director for Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign; founder of American Maggie, a website for female GOP writers; Foreign Policy Initiative communications director; Republican National Convention 2012 policy director; 2012 vice presidential debate prep coach for Rep. Paul Ryan” [Politico, 8/12/14]
¶ 2011: Romney Supported Overturning Roe v. Wade
2011: Romney: The Supreme Court Should Reverse Roe v. Wade. According to The Hill, “Romney also pledged to appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court. “I’d make sure that justices that go to the Supreme Court are justices that have a conviction that their job is to follow the law and not to create the law from the bench,” he said. He added that “the Supreme Court should reverse Roe vs. Wade and send back to the states the responsibility for deciding whether they are going to have abortion legal in their state or not.” [The Hill, 10/2/11]
2011: Romney Wrote That He Supported Reversing Roe v. Wade. According to Mitt Romney writing in National Review, “I support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, because it is bad law and bad medicine. Roe was a misguided ruling that was a result of a small group of activist federal judges legislating from the bench.” [National Review accessed via the Wayback Machine, Op-Ed-Mitt Romney, 6/18/11]
¶ Romney Called Roe v. Wade “One Of The Darkest Moments In Supreme Court History”
Romney Called Roe v. Wade “One Of The Darkest Moments In Supreme Court History.” According to a Romney campaign press release, “Mitt Romney made the following statement on the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade: ‘Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the darkest moments in Supreme Court history, when the court in Roe v. Wade claimed authority over the fundamental question regarding the rights of the unborn. The result is millions of lives since that day have been tragically silenced. Since that day, the pro-life movement has been working tirelessly in an effort to change hearts and minds and protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Today, we recommit ourselves to reversing that decision, for in the quiet of conscience, people of both political parties know that more than a million abortions a year cannot be squared with the good heart of America.’” [Romney for President, 1/22/12]
¶ Ryan Held Fringe Views On Abortion
Ryan Said He Would Not Offer A “Truce” On His Anti-Abortion Stance. According to the Huffington Post, “‘I’m as pro-life as a person gets,’ he told the Weekly Standard in 2010. ‘You’re not going to have a truce.’” [Huffington Post, 8/19/12]
Ryan Compared Roe v. Wade Decision To Dred Scott v. Sandford, Which Denied Africans And Descendants Human Rights. According to a press release from the Office of Representative Ryan, “Twice in the past the U.S. Supreme Court-charged with being the guardian of rights-has failed so drastically in making this crucial determination that it ‘disqualified’ a whole category of human beings, with profoundly tragic results. The first time was in the 1857 case, Dred Scott v. Sandford. The second time the Court failed in a case regarding the definition of ‘human’ was in Roe v. Wade in 1973, when the Supreme Court made virtually the identical mistake. Like the Dred Scott decision, this opinion has wounded America and solved nothing. It has set good people on all sides against each other, fueled a culture war, split churches, soured politics, and greatly strained civil dialogue.” [Office of Representative Ryan accessed via the Wayback Machine, 9/20/10]
¶ Stefanik Was Deputy Policy Director For Tim Pawlenty’s Presidential Bid
¶ Stefanik Worked For Pawlenty’s Presidential Bid
Stefanik Was The Director Of New Media And Deputy Policy Director Of Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC. According to North Country Public Radio, “2011 Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota governor, presidential candidate: With American Maggie still occasionally publishing articles, Stefanik begins working as the Director of New Media and Deputy Policy Director for then Tim Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC, a political action committee designed to boost his presidential bid.” [North Country Public Radio, 10/21/14]
Stefanik Was Deputy Policy Director For Pawlenty’s Presidential Campaign. According to Politico, “Career: White House domestic policy aide; deputy policy director for Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign; founder of American Maggie, a website for female GOP writers; Foreign Policy Initiative communications director; Republican National Convention 2012 policy director; 2012 vice presidential debate prep coach for Rep. Paul Ryan” [Politico, 8/12/14]
¶ Pawlenty Held Extreme Views Against Abortion
VIDEO: Pawlenty Said He Believed Roe v. Wade Was “Wrongly Decided.” According to Pawlenty during an interview with Bryan Fischer via YouTube, “PAWLENTY: On the specific question of Roe v. Wade, you know when you tell people or ask people to be strict constructionists and look at the constitution to have people say well I’m a strict constructionist but in somehow would lead to a decision or conclusion like Roe v. Wade, I think it was wrongly decided. And if you look at the reasoning behind it, the strict interpretation approach to interpreting the constitution, I think Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided by the court.” [Tim Pawlenty interview with Bryan Fischer via YouTube, 1/13/11]
Pawlenty Called To Defund Planned Parenthood. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s press release, “Gov. Tim Pawlenty: ‘Washington has a massive spending problem, and we need to set priorities. Recent undercover videos show that employees of America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, aided alleged human traffickers wishing to exploit young girls. Yet, they continue to receive significant taxpayer funding. That should come to an end.’ –Statement provided to SBA List, April 1, 2011.” [Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, 4/4/11]
¶ Stefanik Garnered Support From The Anti-Abortion Group Susan B. Anthony List
¶ Stefanik Earned An “A+” Rating From Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
118th Congress: Stefanik Earned An “A+” On The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Scorecard. According to Stefanik’s press release, “Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced that she earned an ‘A+’ on Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America’s National Pro-Life Scorecard for the first session of the 118th Congress for her legislative efforts to protect life. The SBA Pro-Life America Scorecard reflects votes and actions taken during the 118th Congress to inform pro-life constituents what actions their legislators have taken on pro-life measures, votes, cosponsorships, congressional letters, and more. ‘I am proud to earn the highest rating by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America that a Member of Congress can receive on their National Pro-Life Scorecard. As one of the newest moms in Congress, I am committed to working to save lives and support women and their families,’ said Congressman Elise Stefanik. ‘We have the enormous responsibility of providing every child, especially the unborn, with a truly precious and sacred opportunity at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’” [Rep. Elise Stefanik, 1/16/24]
117th Congress: Stefanik Earned An “A+” Rating From Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
[Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Accessed 1/4/24]
¶ Susan B. Anthony List Endorsed Stefanik
2020: Susan B. Anthony List Endorsed Stefanik. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s press release, “Today Susan B. Anthony List’s Candidate Fund PAC announced its endorsement of Rep. Elise Stefanik for re-election in New York’s 21st Congressional District. ‘We are pleased to endorse Congressman Stefanik’s re-election bid so she can continue to fight for unborn children and their mothers in Washington,’ said the Honorable Marilyn Musgrave, SBA List’s Vice President of Government Affairs. ‘During her time in Congress, Elise has voted in favor of protecting babies born alive after failed abortions and stopping cruel late-term abortions after five months of pregnancy – both major pro-life priorities that are shamefully blocked with Pelosi Democrats in control of the House. We are thankful to Elise not only for her pro-life votes, but also for her leadership in promoting strong women in office across the nation as we work to stop Democrats’ extreme abortion agenda in Congress.’” [Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, 6/17/20]
2014: Susan B. Anthony List Endorsed Stefanik, Calling Her A “Pro-Life Leader.” According to Stefanik’s press release accessed via the Wayback Machine, “The Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) Candidate Fund announced today its endorsement of Elise Stefanik for New York’s 21st congressional district. ‘The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is proud to endorse such a principled and articulate pro-life leader in Elise Stefanik. We look forward to seeing Elise succeed in this historically pro-life district so that she may serve as a voice for women, unborn children, and pro-life taxpayers in Washington,’ said SBA List Candidate Fund President Marjorie Dannenfelser. ‘Her energy, experience, and passion for promoting the dignity of each human life will make Elise an excellent addition to the House Pro-life Women’s Caucus.’” [Elise Stefanik For Congress accessed via the Wayback Machine, 3/27/14]
¶ Stefanik Crusaded Against Planned Parenthood
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Eight Times To Defund Planned Parenthood
¶ 2017: Stefanik Twice Voted For Legislation That Would Defund Planned Parenthood
2017: Stefanik Voted For The House GOP’s FY 2018 Omnibus That Defunded Planned Parenthood. In September 2017, Stefanik voted for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill that, according to The Hill, “The House on Thursday completed its work on the annual appropriations bills for 2018, ahead of expected negotiations at the end of this year to keep the government funded. By a vote of 211-198, the House passed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills to fund wide swaths of the federal government, ranging from the Department of Homeland Security to the Environmental Protection Agency. […] The package included eight new bills, plus four previously passed appropriations bills that advanced through the House in July. Regular order for appropriations typically involved passing each of the bills individually, not in groups of 4 or 8. […] Together, the bills appropriate $621.5 billion for defense spending and $511 billion for nondefense discretionary spending. It also devotes another $87 billion in Overseas Contingency Operation (OCO) funding, which does not count toward budget cuts. Of that, $75 billion went to defense, $12 billion to nondefense.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 211 to 198. The Senate took no substantive action on the overall legislation. [House Vote 528, 9/14/17; The Hill, 9/14/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3354]
- The Legislation Defunded Planned Parenthood. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Finally, the measure prohibits funding for Planned Parenthood and HHS Title X family planning programs; prohibits the use of funds to administer or further implement the 2010 health care overhaul (the Affordable Care Act, or ACA), including by prohibiting the funding of ACA navigators; and it includes the text of the Conscience Protection Act, which prohibits all levels of government from penalizing, retaliating against or otherwise discriminating against a health care provider because the provider does not provide or sponsor abortion coverage.” [Congressional Quarterly, 9/8/17]
2017: Stefanik Voted For The American Health Care Act, Which Would Have, In Part, Prohibited Federal Funding To Planned Parenthood. In May 2017, Stefanik voted for the American Health Care Act which would have significantly repealed portions of the Affordable Care Act by cutting Medicaid, cutting taxes on the rich, removing safeguard for pre-existing conditions and defunding Planned Parenthood. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “prohibit[ed] federal funding to any entity, such as Planned Parenthood, that performs abortions and receives more than $350 million a year in Medicaid funds.” The overall legislation would have in part, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “ma[d]e extensive changes to the 2010 health care overhaul law, by effectively repealing the individual and employer mandates as well as most of the taxes that finance the current system. It would [have], in 2020, convert[ed] Medicaid into a capped entitlement that would provide[d] fixed federal payments to states and end[ed] additional federal funding for the 2010 law’s joint federal-state Medicaid expansion. […] It would [have] allow[ed] states to receive waivers to exempt insurers from having to provide certain minimum benefits.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217 to 213. The bill, in modified forms, died in the Senate. [House Vote 256, 5/4/17; Congressional Quarterly, 5/4/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1628]
¶ 2016: Stefanik Voted Twice To Defunded Planned Parenthood
2016: Stefanik Voted To Override President Obama’s Veto Of A Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood. In February 2015, Stefanik voted to override President Obama’s veto of a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “scrap[ed] in 2018 the law's Medicaid expansion, as well as subsidies to help individuals buy coverage through the insurance exchanges.” Additionally, according to Congressional Quarterly the bill would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law and block[ed] federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. As amended, the bill would zero-out the law’s penalties for noncompliance with the law’s requirements for most individuals to obtain health coverage and employers to offer health insurance.” The vote was on a veto override, which required a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House, which was 285 in the House. The House rejected the veto override by a vote of 241 to 186. [House Vote 53, 2/2/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Real Clear Politics, 12/4/15; Congressional Quarterly, 2/2/16; NBC News, 1/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762]
2016: Stefanik Voted For A Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood. In January 2016, Stefanik voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “scrap[ed] in 2018 the law's Medicaid expansion, as well as subsidies to help individuals buy coverage through the insurance exchanges.” Additionally, according to Congressional Quarterly the bill would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law and block[ed] federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. As amended, the bill would zero-out the law’s penalties for noncompliance with the law’s requirements for most individuals to obtain health coverage and employers to offer health insurance.” The vote was on a motion to concur with the Senate amendment, which indicated final passage. The House approved the bill by a vote of 240 to 181. The Senate had already passed the measure. President Obama vetoed the legislation, which the House failed to override. [House Vote 6, 1/8/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Real Clear Politics, 12/4/15; NBC News, 1/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762]
¶ 2015: Stefanik Voted Four Times To Defund Planned Parenthood
¶ Stefanik Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood As Part Of An Effort To Overturn The Affordable Care Act
2015: Stefanik Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood For One Year And To Repeal Portions Of The Affordable Care Act. In October 2015, Stefanik voted to defund Planned Parenthood through a reconciliation bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, the reconciliation bill would have “block[ed], for one year, federal funding for Planned Parenthood and would increase funding for community health centers by $235 million in both fiscal 2016 and 2017.” In addition, according to Congressional Quarterly, the measure would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law, including: the requirements for most individuals to have health insurance and employers with more than 50 employees to offer it or face penalties, the 2.3 percent tax on the sale of medical devices, the tax on certain high-value employer-sponsored health insurance plans, and the Prevention and Public Health Fund.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 240 to 189. The Senate later passed a different version of the legislation, which the president vetoed, which failed to be overridden in the House. [House Vote 568, 10/23/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/23/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762]
¶ Stefanik Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood Through A Continuing Resolution
2015: Stefanik Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood As Part Of A Continuing Resolution. In September 2015, Stefanik voted for defunding Planned Parenthood. According to Congressional Quarterly, the vote was on “Adoption of the concurrent resolution (H Con Res 79) that would require the House enrolling clerk to add language to the CR defunding Planned Parenthood before it is sent to the president.” The vote was on agreeing to the resolution. The House agreed to the resolution by a vote of 241 to 185. A Continuing Resolution that did not defund Planned Parenthood was signed into law. [House Vote 527, 9/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/30/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 719]
¶ Stefanik Voted To Allow States To Exclude Planned Parenthood From Medicaid Reimbursements
2015: Stefanik Voted Against Allowing States To Exclude Abortion Providers, Including Planned Parenthood, From Medicaid Reimbursements. In September 2015, Stefanik voted against a bill that would allow states to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid reimbursements. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “amend[ed] title XIX of the Social Security act to allow states to exclude medical providers who perform abortions from the state's Medicaid contracts. The bill would [have] expand[ed] the exceptions for which a state is not required to provide Medicaid reimbursements, allowing states to deny non-abortion health care reimbursements to medical providers such as Planned Parenthood.” The vote was on the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 236 to 193. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 524, 9/29/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/29/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3495]
¶ Stefanik Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood For A Year
2015: Stefanik Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood For One Year Unless It Ceased Offering Abortion Services. In September 2015, Stefanik voted for defunding Planned Parenthood for one year. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would have “bar[red], for one year, federal funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliates unless they certify that, during that period, they will not perform abortions or provide funds to other entities that perform abortions. The prohibition would apply to all federal funds, including Medicaid. The bill would provide exceptions for abortions provided in the case of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother. As amended, the bill would effectively redirect funds from Planned Parenthood to the community health center program; specifically, it would appropriate $235 million for community health centers, in addition to any other funds available to the program.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 187. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 505, 9/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3134]
¶ Stefanik Supported A Congressional Investigation Into Planned Parenthood On A Bogus Premise
¶ Stefanik Supported The Congressional Investigation Into Fetal Tissue Donations
2016: Stefanik Voted To Authorize An Additional $800,000 To The Congressional Committee Investigating Planned Parenthood. In December 2016, Stefanik voted for a resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “allow[ed] the House Energy and Commerce Committee to spend an additional $800,000 during the remainder of the 114th Congress.” Also according to Congressional Quarterly, the resolution specifically “provide[d] more money to the panel investigating the alleged sale of fetal tissue.” The vote was on the resolution. The House agreed to the resolution by a vote of 234 to 181. [House Vote 595, 12/1/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/1/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/1/16; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 933]
2015: Stefanik Voted To Create A Congressional Subcommittee To Investigative Issues Related To Fetal Tissue Donation. In October 2015, Stefanik voted to create a Congressional subcommittee to investigate issues related to fetal tissue donation. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “establish[ed] a select investigative subcommittee under the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The panel would be responsible for investigating and reporting on issues related to fetal tissue donation, fetal tissue procurement, federal funding for abortion services, and late-term abortions. The panel would be composed, as amended, of 15 members selected by the speaker and minority leader, with no more than six Democrats.” The vote was on the legislation. The House passed the bill by a vote of 242 to 184. The legislation, not needing Senate approval or a presidential signature, created the committee. [House Vote 538, 10/7/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/7/15; The Hill, 10/7/15; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 461]
¶ Planned Parenthood Was Under Investigation Over Videos Allegedly Showing Planned Parenthood Breaking Fetal Tissue Regulations
Planned Parenthood Was Under Investigation Over Videos Allegedly Showing Planned Parenthood Breaking Fetal Tissue Regulations. According to MSNBC, “Several House committees are investigating Planned Parenthood after the release of secretly-recorded videos from an anti-abortion group, showing Planned Parenthood employees and current and former employees of a fetal tissue procurement firm. The group behind them says they show Planned Parenthood breaking laws regulating fetal tissue donation for the purpose of medical research – specifically, profiting off the tissue and altering procedures to obtain intact parts – which Planned Parenthood denies. None of the federal funding in question goes to abortion or to fetal tissue donation programs, although the National Institutes of Health does fund research on fetal tissue.” [MSNBC, 9/18/15]
¶ The Planned Parenthood Videos Were Largely Discredited Dismissed By Courts
The Supreme Court Declined To Take Up An Appeal By Anti-Abortion Activists Requesting The Court Throw Out Over $2 Million In Damages After Secretly Recording Abortion Providers. According to Reuters, “The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a bid by anti-abortion activists to throw out more than $2 million in damages they were ordered to pay Planned Parenthood after secretly recording video of abortion providers in a scheme to try to show the illicit sale of aborted fetal tissue for profit. The justices turned away the appeal by David Daleiden and his group, the Center for Medical Progress, of a lower court's decision in 2022 upholding most of the damages in a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood, a women's healthcare and abortion provider, accusing the defendants of conspiracy, eavesdropping and other claims. The lower court rejected the argument made by the defendants that with the secret recording they were exercising their right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution.” [Reuters, 10/2/23]
The Planned Parenthood Videos Were Discredited. According to NBC News, “After an anti-abortion group released videos in 2015 that purported to show officials from Planned Parenthood talking about selling fetal tissue, several states immediately terminated Medicaid provider agreements with the group's affiliates. The videos were largely discredited, but the states involved said they found the allegations troubling.” [NBC News, 12/10/18]
¶ Stefanik Voted Against Protecting And Expanding Abortion Access
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Twice Against Codifying Abortion Protections
2022: Stefanik Voted Against Codifying 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, Stefanik 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]
2021: Stefanik Voted Against The Women's Health Protection Act Of 2021, Which Would Protect The Right To Abortion Access And Prohibit Restrictions On Abortion. In September 2021, Stefanik 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]
- The Bill Would Have Prohibited Abortion Restrictions And Establish That Health Care Providers Have A Right To Provide Abortions And Individuals Have The Right To Receive An Abortion. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that 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.” [Congressional Quarterly, 9/24/21]
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Four Times To Prohibit Abortion Access For Members Of The Military
¶ 2023: Stefanik Effectively Voted To Repeal A Measure Enduring Service Members And Their Families Could Travel For Reproductive Care
2023: Stefanik Effectively Voted To Repeal A 2022 Memorandum Regarding Traveling For Reproductive Care. In September 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik voted against the “motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to disagree to section 716, which would repeal an October 2022 Defense Department memorandum concerning traveling for reproductive health care.” The vote was on a motion to instruct conferees. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 205 to 214. [House Vote 400, 9/20/23; Congressional Quarterly, 9/20/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2670]
- The 2022 Memorandum Ensured Service Members And Their Families Had Access To Reproductive Care. According to the Congressional Research Service, “On October 20, 2022, the Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum directing actions to ensure that servicemembers and their families ‘can access reproductive health care and [DOD] health care providers can operate effectively.’ The memo directed the department to establish travel and transportation allowances for servicemembers and their dependents to obtain noncovered reproductive health care that is unavailable in the ‘local area of a Service member’s permanent duty station,’ and establish a reimbursement program to assist a DOD health care provider with obtaining a professional license in another state ‘in order to support the performance of their official duties.’ Section 716 would repeal the October 20, 2022, DOD memorandum and prohibit DOD from using funds to implement the memorandum or a potential successor memorandum. The provision would also amend 10 U.S.C. §1093 to prohibit the Secretary of Defense from paying for or reimbursing fees or expenses for DOD health care providers to obtain a health care license in a state for the purpose of providing abortion services.” [Congressional Research Service, 9/6/23]
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Three Times To Prevent The Use Of VA Funding To Provide Abortions Or Allow Abortion Counseling
2023: Stefanik Voted To Prohibit The Use Of VA Funding To Provide Abortions Or Allow Abortion Counseling. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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]
2023: Stefanik 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, Stefanik 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]
- The Provision Of The FY 2024 NDAA Would Reverse A Defense Department Policy That Reimbursed Expenses For Military Members Who Traveled For Abortion Services. According to Reuters, “The House voted 221 to 213 for an amendment that would reverse the Defense Department's policy of reimbursing expenses for service members who travel to obtain an abortion.” [Reuters, 7/14/23]
- The Abortion Reimbursement Policy Sought To Help Military Members In Need Of Abortion Services Who Were Stationed In States With Abortion Bans. According to Reuters, “The Pentagon travel reimbursement policy is aimed at helping those in the military or family members who are seeking an abortion but stationed in states that have outlawed it.” [Reuters, 7/14/23]
2023: Stefanik 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, Stefanik 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]
- The Amendment Would Have Rescinded A Defense Department Policy That Reimbursed Military Members Who Had To Travel To Access Reproductive Services. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The move came after the House earlier Thursday adopted an amendment from Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, to rescind a Defense Department policy that reimburses servicemembers who must travel to obtain reproductive health care. Democrats have promised to vote en masse against the bill if that provision is included.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/14/23]
¶ Stefanik Opposed Legislation Allowing Interstate Travel For Abortion Services
2022: Stefanik Voted Against Prohibiting Individuals Acting Under State Law From Restricting An Individual’s Access To Out-Of-State Abortion Services And Against Prohibiting The Restriction Of Interstate Movement Against Any FDA-Approved Abortion Drug. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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]
- The Bill Would Have Permitted The U.S. Attorney General Or A Harmed Individual To Sue In Federal Court Against An Individual Who Violates The Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “It would allow the U.S. attorney general or a harmed individual to bring a civil action in U.S. district court for declaratory and injunctive relief against an individual who violates the prohibitions.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22]
- The Bill Would Have Reaffirmed The Right For An Individual Seeking Abortion Services To Travel Across State Lines Without Restrictions. According to the Washington Post, “Another bill, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, would reaffirm the right for someone seeking an abortion to travel freely across state lines. The House passed that measure, 223-205, with three Republicans — Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), Fred Upton (Mich.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) — joining all Democrats in backing the bill.” [The Washington Post, 7/15/22]
- Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D) From Texas: Prohibiting Travel Restrictions For Abortion Access Was Consistent With The Constitutional Right To Interstate Travel. According to the New York Times, “Representative Lizzie Fletcher, Democrat of Texas, said her bill prohibiting states from enacting or enforcing laws restricting travel to obtain an abortion was consistent with the constitutional right to interstate travel.” [New York Times, 7/15/22]
¶ Stefanik Effectively Voted Three Times Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Care
2022: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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]
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Three Times For The So-Called “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Three Times For The So-Called “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”
2023: Stefanik Voted For The So-Called “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, Stefanik 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]
- Under The Bill, Any Violations By Health Care Workers Could Have Been Punished With Fines Or Up To Five Years In Prison. According to CNN, “Under the bill, health providers who fail to comply with the requirements for care could face fines or up to five years in prison.” [CNN, 1/12/23]
2018: Stefanik Voted For So-Called “The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” Which Required Health Care Workers Care For An Infant Born Instead Of Aborted Resultant From A Failed Abortion. In January 2018, Stefanik voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] health care practitioners to provide care to an infant born alive during a failed abortion that is equivalent to the care they would provide to any other infant born at the same gestational age. It would [have] impose[d] criminal fines, and penalties of up to five years in prison, for failure to do so, and would provide for a patient in such circumstances to file a lawsuit against the health care provider for certain monetary and punitive damages. The bill would [have] require[d] hospital and clinic practitioners and employees to report any knowledge of failures to provide such care to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement agency, and would [have] permit[ted] prosecution of individuals who fail to do so.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 183. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 36, 1/19/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/19/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4712]
2015: Stefanik Voted For The So-Called “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.” In September 2015, Stefanik voted for a bill that would have imposed criminal penalties on doctors who do not give appropriate care to an infant born during an abortion. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “require[d] health care practitioners to give the same level of care to an infant born alive during a failed abortion as they would give to any other infant born at the same gestational age. The bill also would [have] require[d] health care practitioners to ensure that these infants are immediately sent to a hospital. Health care practitioners and hospital and abortion clinic employees who know about a violation would be required to report the failure to comply with these requirements to law enforcement. People who violate these requirements regarding level of care and reporting violations would be subject to criminal fines or up to five years in prison, or both. The bill would prohibit the prosecution of mothers of born-alive infants for either conspiracy to violate born-alive protections or as accessory to the crime. The bill also would allow mothers to file lawsuits against health care providers who fail to appropriately care for born-alive infants from failed abortions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 248 to 177. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 506, 9/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3504]
¶ Planned Parenthood Action Labeled The Legislation A “Blatant Attempt To Politicize Women’s Health”
Planned Parenthood Action: The Legislation Was A “Blatant Attempt To Politicize Women’s Health.” According to Planned Parenthood Action, “On September 15, 2015, Congressman Trent Franks (R-Arizona) introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 3504), a blatant attempt to politicize women’s health. The true goal of supporters of the H.R. 3504 is to promote a political agenda of banning safe, legal abortion in the United States. This bill would amend current law to apply new criminal penalties and severely overreach into the practice of medicine. This legislation specifically targets abortion and injects politicians into the patient-physician relationship, disregarding providers’ training and clinical judgment and undermining their ability to determine the best course of action with their patients. The rigid set of requirements the legislation places on physicians is meant to intimidate abortion providers from providing women with the care they need.” [Planned Parenthood Action Scorecard, Accessed 2/8/16]
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Once To Ban Governments From Discriminating Against A Conscientious-Objecting Provider
¶ Stefanik Voted To Ban Governments From Discriminating Against A Conscientious Objecting Insurance Provider
2016: Stefanik Voted To Bar Governments From Discriminating Against A Health Care Provider Because They Did Not Cover Abortion. In July 2016, Stefanik voted for a bill related to the so-called ‘Conscience Clause,’ often related to abortion coverage. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would prohibit federal, state, and local governments that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against a health care provider because the provider does not provide or sponsor abortion coverage, and would provide a complaint process and civil actions for violations through the Health and Human Services and Justice departments.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 245 to 182. The bill was earlier passed by the House, but with different legislative text related to motor vehicle safety whistleblowers; the Senate took no substantive action on the new legislation. [House Vote 443, 7/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/16; Congressional Actions, S. 304]
¶ Planned Parenthood: The Legislation Would Have Allowed Bosses To Deny Health Care That They Object To
Planned Parenthood: The Legislation Would Have Allowed Bosses To Deny Health Care That They Object To. According to a tweet sent out by Planned Parenthood, “Extremists are pushing the Conscience Protection Act that allows bosses & health plans to deny care they object to. #NotMyConscience” [@PPact, 7/13/16]
¶ Stefanik Voted For An Amendment That Would Have Allowed HHS To Enforce Conscientious Objections Protections Related To Abortion
2019: Stefanik Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Minibus That Would Have Allowed HHS To Enforce Conscientious Objections Protections Related To Abortion. In June 2019, Stefanik voted for a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike from the bill a provision prohibiting funds authorized by the bill to be used to enforce a May 2019 Health and Human Services Department rule regarding enforcement of conscientious objection protections related to abortion and other health provisions under HHS programs.” The vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 192-230. [House Vote 266, 6/12/19; Congressional Quarterly, 6/12/19; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 267; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2740]
¶ The ACLU Argued The Rule “Offers Health Care Providers Broad Leeway To Refuse Women Reproductive Care”
ACLU: The Rule “Offers Health Care Providers Broad Leeway To Refuse Women Reproductive Care.” According to NPR, “Louise Melling, deputy legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union, says the rule offers health care providers broad leeway to refuse women reproductive care, such as an emergency abortion to protect the life or health of the mother, if they claim the procedure offends their conscience. The rule protects health care workers who have indirect involvement in such procedures, as long as their roles have an ‘articulable connection’ to a procedure such as abortion, sterilization or even administration of birth control.” [NPR, 5/2/19]
¶ Stefanik Voted Against Codifying Access To Contraceptives
¶ 2022: Stefanik Voted Against Codifying Access To Contraceptives
2022: Stefanik 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, Stefanik 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 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 Would Have Established The Federal Right For Contraception Access And The Right For Medical Providers To Provide Contraceptives
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]
¶ 2022: Stefanik Effectively Voted Several Times Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives
2022: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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]
¶ July 19, 2022: Stefanik Effectively Voted Three Times In One Day To Prevent Access To Contraception
2022: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Included Biological Products And FDA-Regulated Products In The Definition Of “Contraceptives,” Specified That “Health Care Providers” Were Authorized Providers, And Clarified That The Contraception Access Bill Did Not Sanction Forced Sterilization. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik effectively voted against the management’s amendment, which would “specify that the bill's definition of ‘contraceptive’ includes biological products and is limited to products legally marketed under existing Food and Drug Administration regulations; clarify the bill's definition of ‘health care provider’ to state that providers must be authorized by the state to provide health care services; specify that the bill may not be construed to sanction sterilization procedures without a patient's informed consent; and make technical changes.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 219-200, thus the manager’s amendment was automatically adopted. [House Vote 366, 7/19/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1232]
2022: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Stefanik 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]
¶ Stefanik Voted For Legislation Which Blocked Federal Funding For Reproductive Health
¶ Stefanik Voted For Legislation Which Blocked Federal Funding For Family Planning And Reproductive Health
2019: Stefanik Voted For Blocking Funding For Family Planning And Reproductive Health Through The USAID. In June 2019, Stefanik voted for an amendment to the FY 2020 minibus that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike from the bill a provision allocating $750 million for family planning and reproductive health programs, including in areas where population growth threatens biodiversity, from funding provided by the bill for U.S. Agency for International Development global health programs.” The vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 188-225. [House Vote 324, 6/18/19; Congressional Quarterly, 6/18/19; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 340; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2740]
- Planned Parenthood Included This Amendment On Their Congressional Scorecard, Saying It Jeopardized “Critical And Lifesaving International Family Planning And Reproductive Health Programs.” According to Planned Parenthood, “Over 24 million women receive contraceptives from U.S. supported international family planning programs based on FY 2019 funding levels - and millions more stand to gain access with the designated $750 million funding level. In FY 2019, the U.S. invested $607.5 million in international family planning and reproductive health, including $32.5 million for UNFPA. The Lesko amendment would jeopardize these critical and lifesaving international family planning and reproductive health programs by cutting much needed funding to keep the programs running. We cannot improve women’s health, address the unacceptably high maternal mortality rate, and support healthy families globally, without robust investments in international family planning. This spending will ensure women can access family planning counseling and the full range of contraceptive options that they want.” [Planned Parenthood, Accessed 2/6/20]
2019: Stefanik Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Minibus That Would Have Made It More Difficult For Federally Funded Facilities To Provide Abortion Services. In June 2019, Stefanik voted for a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike from the bill a provision requiring the Health and Human Services Department to administer certain family planning program grants under statutory frameworks in effect as of January 18, 2017. The provision that would be struck down would effectively block implementation of a March 2019 HHS rule related to grants for facilities providing abortions.” The vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 191-231. [House Vote 267, 6/12/19; Congressional Quarterly, 6/12/19; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 275; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2740]
- The Amendment Would Have Upheld A Trump Administration Rule That Aimed To Hinder Planned Parenthood From Providing Abortion Services. According to the Atlantic, “In late February, the Trump administration dropped a new rule that has alarmed doctors’ groups and brought conservatives closer to achieving their long quest to defund Planned Parenthood. Clinics that receive funds from the federal family-planning grant program Title X will no longer be able to perform abortions in the same space where they see other patients. Abortion and other health-care services will be required to be physically and financially separate entities. Title X participants will also no longer be able to refer patients to abortion providers, though they can mention abortion to their patients. About 20 percent of Title X providers would potentially have to renovate their clinics to meet the new guidelines, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. It will likely cost each of these providers $20,000 to $40,000 to come into compliance with the physical-separation element of the new rule.” [Atlantic, 3/5/19]
- The Rule Would Have Made It More Difficult For Poor Women To Access Medical Services Unrelated To Abortions. According to the Atlantic, “Such a measure might conjure images of scores of Planned Parenthood clinics suddenly closing their doors. But the impacts of the rule are likely to be more subtle, and to mostly affect poor women’s access to medical services unrelated to abortions.” [The Atlantic, 3/5/19]
2015: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Allowing The NIH To Use Funds On Abortion-Related Experiments. In July 2015, Stefanik voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike[n] language that applies any policy riders included in annual Labor-HHS-Education and Agriculture appropriations bills to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funds provided by the bill.” The underlying legislation was the 21st Century Cures Act. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 176 to 245. [House Vote 432, 7/10/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 658; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6]
- Amendment Would Have Allowed The NIH To Use Funds To Conduct Abortion Related Experiments. In a floor speech, Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) said, “I rise in opposition to the Lee amendment. If passed, this amendment would allow the National Institutes of Health to use taxpayer dollars to conduct experiments involving abortion or to hone abortion techniques.” [Congressional Record, 7/10/15]
¶ Stefanik Voted At Least Twice To Permanently Ban Federal Funds To Pay For Abortion Or Abortion Coverage
2017: Stefanik Voted To Permanently Ban Federal Funding For Abortion Services. In January 2017, Stefanik voted for codifying the Hyde Amendment. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would permanently prohibit federal funds from being used to pay for abortion services or health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. It also would prohibit the District of Columbia from using its own local funds to provide or pay for abortions. Individuals and small businesses also could not receive tax credits under the 2010 health care law related to purchases of health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. The bill would require the Office of Personnel Management to ensure that, starting in 2018, no multistate qualified health plan offered in a state insurance exchange provides coverage that includes abortion. The provisions would not apply to pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or to situations where the woman would die unless an abortion is performed.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 238 to 183. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 65, 1/24/17; Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7]
- The Legislation Would Have Essentially Codified The Hyde Amendment. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Even if the bill is signed into law, the current status quo won't substantially change. Similar language restricting abortion funding, known as the Hyde Amendment, has been included in annual spending bills since 1976. It says that no appropriated funds can be used for abortions or for health plans that include abortion coverage except for pregnancies caused by rape or incest or if the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother.” [Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/17]
- The Legislation Would Have Prevented Refundable Tax Credits To Be Used For Health Insurers That Provide Abortion. According to Congressional Quarterly, “However, the bill would go further than the Hyde Amendment by trying to impose burdens on insurance companies or individuals who use private money to pay for abortions. For instance, it would disallow the use of refundable tax credits and cost sharing-reductions for health insurers and small employers that provide abortion coverage.” [Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/17]
2015: Stefanik Voted For Permanently Banning Federal Funds To Pay For Abortion Or Abortion Coverage, Forcing Insurance Companies To Display Prominently When They Cover Abortion And Provide Exception For Rape, Incest, Or To Save Mother’s Life. In January 2015, Stefanik voted for permanently banning federal funds for abortion, abortion coverage and provide exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s health in life threatening situations. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This bill permanently prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion or abortion coverage, prohibits federal medical facilities and health professionals from providing abortion services, and prohibits individuals and small businesses from receiving federal subsidies and tax credits under the 2010 health care overhaul to purchase health care plans that cover abortions. The measure provides an exception for abortions in cases of rape or incest and for saving the life of the mother. It also requires all qualified health plans that provide abortion coverage to prominently disclose that fact to enrollees at the time of enrollment, as well as to prominently display such information in any marketing or advertising materials, plan comparison tools or summaries of benefits and coverage.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill 242 to 179. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 45, 1/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/15; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 10/1/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7]
- The Bill Could Have Driven Insurers Away From Covering Abortion. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Opponents of the bill, primarily Democrats, argue that it constitutes yet another attack on women's rights that could undermine access to abortion. The bill, they say, goes far beyond prohibiting taxpayer-funded abortions and could drive insurance companies away from providing abortion coverage as a basic element of health insurance policies. Everyone agrees that we want to reduce abortions, but the bill goes about it the wrong way, they say, discouraging insurers from including abortion coverage in comprehensive health care policies and erecting new hurdles for women. They contend that rather than simply codifying the Hyde amendment, the bill will effectively act to prohibit millions of American families from using their own money to buy health plans that include abortion coverage.” [Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/15]
- The Bill Did Not Have An Exception For Women’s Health In Non-Life Threatening Situations. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Opponents also argue that the bill contains no exceptions to protect a woman's health in non-life-threatening situations, providing no support in the case of pregnancies that might threaten future fertility or worsen a chronic health condition such as heart disease, as well as providing no protections in the case of a terminal fetal anomaly.” [Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/15]
¶ Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Allowing Federal Employees’ Health Plans To Cover Any Aspect Of Abortion
2016: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Allowing Federal Employees’ Health Plans To Cover Any Aspect Of Abortion. In July 2016, Stefanik voted against an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike[n] a section of the bill that would [have] prohibit[ed] funds from being used to pay for an abortion or administrative expenses in connection with any health plan under the federal employees health benefits program which provides benefits or coverage for abortions.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 financial services appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 177 to 245. The House later passed the underlying bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 364, 7/6/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/6/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1233; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5485]
¶ Stefanik Effectively Voted To Bar Federal Funding To School-Based Health Centers If They Referred Abortion Care
¶ 2015: Stefanik Effectively Voted To Bar Federal Funding To School-Based Health Centers If They Referred Abortion Care
2015: Stefanik Effectively Voted To Bar Federal Funding For School Districts If Their Health-Centers Provide, Counsel Or Refer For Abortion Care. In February 2015, Stefanik voted for a House rule on an education reform bill with self-executing language on the ‘Gag Rule’ for school based health centers. According to NARAL, the resolution would have “provide[ed] for House consideration of the legislation” for the Student Success Act. Also according to NARAL, “The self-executing rule added language denying funding for school districts unless their school-based health centers agree not to provide, counsel, or refer for abortion care.” The vote was on the resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 234 to 184. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but the final version which became law, which was different legislation, did not include the policy. [House Vote 93, 2/26/15; NARAL, 12/30/15; Congress.gov, H.R. 5; Congress.gov, H. Rept. 114-354; Public Law, 114-95; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 125]
¶ Stefanik Voted Against Condemning ICE For Referring Detainees For Hysterectomies And Other Unnecessary Invasive Gynecological Procedures
¶ 2020: Stefanik Voted Against Condemning ICE For Referring Detainees For Hysterectomies And Other Unnecessary Invasive Gynecological Procedures
2020: Stefanik Voted Against Condemning ICE For Referring Detainees For Hysterectomies And Other Unnecessary Invasive Gynecological Procedures. In October 2020, Stefanik voted against a resolution that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “express that the House of Representatives condemns the performance of unwanted and unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent -- particularly with regard to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Ga. It would express that ‘everyone deserves to control their own reproductive choices and make informed choices about their bodies’ and that further accountability and transparency is necessary to protect people in custody of ICE. The resolution would call on the Homeland Security Department to pause the removal of individuals who experienced any medical procedure at the Irwin County Detention Center; allow individuals who may have experienced an unnecessary or nonconsensual procedure to have immediate access to appropriate medical treatment; comply with investigation and records requests related to the detention center; ensure that impacted individuals are able to participate in investigations; and hold individuals involved accountable.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 232-157. [House Vote 217, 10/2/20; Congressional Quarterly, 10/2/20; Congressional Actions, H.Res 1153]
¶ The Resolution Came After Allegations That Detainees At The Irwin County Detention Center Received Hysterectomies And Other Gynecological Procedures Without Fully Understanding Or Consenting To Them
The Resolution Came After Allegations That Detainees At The Irwin County Detention Center Received Hysterectomies And Other Gynecological Procedures Without Fully Understanding Or Consenting To Them. According to the New York Times, “The Department of Homeland Security is investigating allegations that immigrant women detained at a privately run detention center in Georgia underwent gynecological procedures without fully understanding or consenting to them. […] The complaint details medical procedures ordered or undertaken by a physician who has treated patients detained at the Irwin County Detention Center, which is run by a private company, LaSalle Corrections, On Ocilla, Ga. The nurse, Dawn Wooten, claims in the complaint that several women detained at the facility told her their uteruses had been removed without their consent.” [New York Times, 9/16/20]
¶ Stefanik Voted For The Global Gag Rule On Abortion Care
¶ 2019: Stefanik Voted For The Global Gag Rule On Abortion Care
2019: Stefanik Voted For The FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill, Which Continued The Global Gag Rule Restrictions On International Family-Planning Funding. In December 2019, Stefanik voted for the FY 2020 minibus spending bill, which represented 8 of the 12 appropriations bills. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Within the total for global health programs, the agreement provides the FY 2019 level of $575 million for family planning and reproductive health programs. The measure does not take any actions with regard to the Mexico City restrictions on international family-planning funding that were reinstated by President Trump in January 2017, and it is silent on the May 2017 expansion of the policy, effectively leaving in place current restrictions.” The vote was a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 297-120. The Senate later passed the bill and the President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 689, 12/17/19; Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/19; Congressional Actions, H.R.1865]
¶ The Global Gag Rule Stopped U.S. Funding To Foreign NGOs Who Provided Abortion-Related Services
The Global Gag Rule Stopped U.S. Funding To Foreign NGOs Who Provided Abortion-Related Services. According to the Guttmacher Institute, “The last three years have witnessed an unprecedented expansion of the global gag rule, which is also known as the Mexico City Policy or the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy. Historically, the gag rule has largely been in place under Republican presidents since 1984.2 Under the gag rule, foreign NGOs that want to continue receiving any U.S. family planning funding must agree to stop providing abortion-related services or advocating for the expansion of abortion access, using any source of their funding.” [Guttmacher Institute, 4/28/20]
¶ Stefanik Voted For Legislation Funding The Fight Against Zika That Explicitly Stipulated That The Funding Could Not Be Used For Abortions
¶ Stefanik Voted For Zika Funding Bill That Explicitly Excluding Funding For Abortion
2016: Stefanik Voted For An FY 2017 Military Construction And Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill Which Also Provided $1.1 Billion In Zika Funding, $800 Million Less Than Requested While Also Stipulating That No Funding Could Be Used To Pay For Abortions. In June 2016, Stefanik voted for an FY 2017 military construction and veterans affairs conference report which would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] $82.5 billion in fiscal 2017 appropriations for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction and military housing and would provide $1.1 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus with about $750 million in offsets.” The vote was on the conference report. The House agreed to the legislation by a vote of 239 to 171. The Senate later failed to invoke cloture on the conference report. [House Vote 342, 6/23/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2577]
- The Legislation Required That No Zika Funding Could Be Used To Pay For Abortions. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The measure requires that the Zika funding provided be subject to restrictions on appropriations included in the FY 2016 omnibus appropriations act (PL 114-113), which included a prohibition on the use of funds to pay for abortions. (Under federal law, U.S. foreign aid funding may not be used by other nations or organizations to pay for abortions. Some women’s health groups have urged the Obama administration to use its executive authority to reinterpret the prohibition so that federal funds could be used to fund the abortions of women who contracted Zika and fear giving birth to babies with microcephaly.)” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/23/16]
- The Legislation Included $95 Million For The Social Services Block Grant Which Would Have Excluded Family Planning Services, Such As The Puerto Rico Affiliate Of Planned Parenthood. According to ABC News, “The bill wouldn’t have directly provided funds for private family planning organizations, but Republican Senate aides noted that it would have contained $95 million for public health departments, hospitals and public health plan reimbursement through the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program. Republicans said funding through the SSBG would have allowed each state or territory the maximum flexibility to direct money wherever it is most needed. In the U.S., the virus is expected to have the biggest impact in Puerto Rico, and $40 million of the funding would have gone to 20 community health centers there. […] A Senate Democratic aide said the initial Senate version of the bill, which had bipartisan support, contained a more workable proposal: funding health care services through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant program, which the aide said more directly assists women and babies, the most critical populations to reach in the Zika crisis. […] According to the aide, the bill would have made access to contraceptives more difficult for women, especially in Puerto Rico, because the Senate bill would have structured its SSBG funds to exclude private health care agencies like Planned Parenthood. ‘Eligible providers could only be public health departments, hospitals and entities reimbursed by public health plans. This would make access to contraceptive and prenatal services more difficult, especially for women in Puerto Rico,’ the aide said.” [ABC News, 6/28/16]
- Democrats Claimed That Excluding Planned Parenthood From Funding For A Public Health Crisis Impacting Pregnant Women Was Unreasonable. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Senate Democrats blocked a spending bill that includes $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus—saying the measure unreasonably excludes Planned Parenthood Federation of America from money for a public health crisis that impacts pregnant women. […] Democrats say that by excluding Planned Parenthood from funding and adding other provisions they oppose, Republicans could delay the funding well into the mosquito season and leave only a small window to act before Congress leaves Washington in mid-July for the political parties’ conventions and lawmakers’ August recess.” [Wall Street Journal, 6/28/16]
¶ Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Guaranteeing Privacy For People Who Received Abortion Care
¶ 2015: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Guaranteeing Privacy For People Who Received Abortion Care
2015: Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Guaranteeing Women’s Medical Privacy In A Bill Banning Federal Funds To Pay For Abortions. In January 2015, Stefanik effectively voted against guaranteeing women’s medical privacy in a bill banning federal funds to pay for abortions. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to recommit would have “clarif[ied] that nothing in the bill could be construed to authorize any party from violating the medical privacy of women, including the victims of rape or incest, with respect to their choice or use of health insurance.” The underlying measure would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “permanently prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion or abortion coverage, prohibits federal medical facilities and health professionals from providing abortion services, and prohibits individuals and small businesses from receiving federal subsidies and tax credits under the 2010 health care overhaul to purchase health care plans that cover abortions. The measure provides an exception for abortions in cases of rape or incest and for saving the life of the mother. It also requires all qualified health plans that provide abortion coverage to prominently disclose that fact to enrollees at the time of enrollment, as well as to prominently display such information in any marketing or advertising materials, plan comparison tools or summaries of benefits and coverage.” The vote was on the motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 177 to 240. [House Vote 44, 1/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/15]
¶ Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Reaffirming The FDA’s Authority Regarding Reproductive Health Product Approvals Over State Or Local Regulations
¶ Stefanik Effectively Voted Against Reaffirming The FDA’s Authority Regarding Reproductive Health Product Approvals Over State Or Local Regulations
2022: Stefanik 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, Stefanik 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]
¶ Stefanik Urged Republicans To Keep Talking About Abortion
¶ Stefanik Urged Republicans In Tough Races Not To Shy Away From Talking About Abortion
Stefanik Urged Republicans In Tough Races Not To Shy Away From Talking About Abortion. According to the New York Post, “Rep. Elise Stefanik is urging her colleagues not to shy away from the issue of abortion. The upstate Republican congresswoman and chair of the House GOP conference told members in tough races they should lean in on the deeply divisive issue. ‘We believe it’s important for our members to engage on this issue and not stick their heads in the sand, which I think some potential candidates had done in the past,’ Stefanik told members at a retreat in West Virginia this week, adding Democrats ‘are the radicals on this.’” [New York Post, 3/16/24]