¶ Reproductive Rights
¶ Post-Roe Leak
¶ Oz Celebrated The Potential Overturning Of Roe V. Wade
Oz Claimed That SCOTUS Was Correct And That Roe V. Wade “Was Wrongly Decided.” Oz tweeted, “The Court is right. Roe was wrongly decided. Abortion laws should be left up to the American people and their elected representatives. I look forward to supporting pro-life legislation that saves innocent lives in the U.S. Senate.” [Twitter, @DrOz, 5/3/22]
Oz Released A Statement On The Supreme Court Leak: ‘The Court Is Right. Roe Was Wrongly Decided. Abortion Laws Should Be Left Up To The American People And Their Elected Representatives.” According to Philadelphia Inquirer, “On Tuesday, Oz released a statement on the Supreme Court leak: ‘The Court is right. Roe was wrongly decided. Abortion laws should be left up to the American people and their elected representatives. I look forward to supporting pro-life legislation that saves innocent lives in the U.S. Senate.’” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/3/22]
In Response To Attacks On His Previous Opposition To Restrictive Abortion Legislation, Oz Celebrated The Leaked SCOTUS Document, Deeming The Overturning Of Roe As The “Right” Move. According to Politico, “Pennsylvania’s contentious race for an open Senate seat is proving to be one notable exception to the GOP rule about downplaying the impending decision. Republican Senate candidates there have been talking about abortion for weeks as a way to pummel Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Pointing to Oz’s past comments expressing concerns about a restrictive Alabama measure, they have argued that Oz is not truly anti-abortion and have sought to portray themselves as the real social conservatives in the race. In turn, Oz has played up his anti-abortion credentials and expressed support for striking down Roe v. Wade: ‘The Court is right. Roe was wrongly decided. Abortion laws should be left up to the American people and their elected representatives. I look forward to supporting pro-life legislation that saves innocent lives in the U.S. Senate,’ he said in a statement.” [Politico, 5/7/22]
¶ Oz Claimed The SCOTUS Decision To Overturn Roe Took “A Lot Of Guts”
[VIDEO] Dr. Oz: SCOTUS Decision To Overturn Roe Took “A Lot Of Guts.” Oz: Well, if you want a good reason to have Republican control of the Senate, that's a pretty good one. You've got, woke, bullies taking over one of the branches of government by undermining the ability of the Supreme Court to make objective decisions by intimidating justices who, back in February got together, generally agreed that Roe versus Wade was unconstitutional, which it is, and did something that I think takes a lot of guts. They decided they're going to write a majority opinion. Judge Alito did that. And I have no idea why, ethically, someone would not feel bound to protect the institution of the Supreme Court, but they released it. Of course, that allows everybody in the woke media to attack the Supreme Court justices. It's hard enough to make decisions based on what the Constitution says without having the entire pressure and weight of the media on you. Listen, I'm living it. And this is something that I that I’ve never sort of gone through. I've been through a lot of crises, but to have billions of dollars of negative ads run against you, just like they attacked President Trump. You've got these folks who are generally Never Trumpers. They're part of the insider swamp group that just throws money at this race because I scare them. They've got their own insider that they want to have with the campaign. And I've got a lot of good things that I stand for and want to talk about. But it's hard to get up from under all the negative advertising. Imagine that taken to the Supreme Court, crushing these poor folks who did not run for political office. They trying to serve the nation. They're trying to do what's right by interpreting the constitution, which is what they're supposed to do. And now, because they've taken a position that's not popular, they're going to get crucified. No matter what you may think about Roe versus Wade, it's very difficult to argue that it's constitutional. The more rational thing to say is, guys, it's not constitutional, either legislative solution or let the states decide.” [Real America Voice: Outside the Beltway, 5/3/22]
¶ Oz Supported The Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade ONce It Was Formally Announced
Oz Tweeted He Was “Relieved” That The Supreme Court Overturned Roe V. Wade. Mehmet Oz tweeted, “The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is to many considered controversial. I respect those with a different view, but as a heart surgeon, I’ve held the smallest of human hearts in the palm of my hand, and will defend the sanctity of life. I am relieved that protecting the lives of America’s unborn children will once again be decided by the people through their elected representatives. As we life up life, we must focus on the needs of mothers and children, for whom this decision can be the greatest gift of all.” [Twitter, @DrOz, 6/24/22]
[VIDEO] Oz Celebrated Scotus’ Decision In Dobbs V. Jackson, Stating That He Was “Relieved That Protecting The Lives Of America’s Unborn Children Will Once Again Be Decided By The People Through Their Elected Representatives.” “I respect those with a different view, but as a heart surgeon, I've held the smallest of human hearts in the palm of my hand, and will defend the sanctity of life. I am relieved that protecting the lives of America's unborn children will once again be decided by the people through their elected representatives.” [WPMT: FOX43 News, 6/24/22]
¶ It Took More Than Three Hours Before Oz Released A Statement Applauding The Supreme Court’s Decision
It Took More Than Three Hours Before Oz Released A Statement Applauding The Supreme Court’s Decision. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Oz was not as quick to discuss the ruling. It took more than three hours before he released a statement applauding the Supreme Court’s decision. In his statement, Oz repeated his common campaign story about his time as a cardiothoracic surgeon operating on infants. ‘I’ve held the smallest of human hearts in the palm of my hand, and will defend the sanctity of life,’ Oz said. Oz has used this story to support his anti-abortion stance that life begins at conception. However, he supports exceptions to abortion bans when the life of the mother is in danger and in instances of rape or incest.” [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/25/22]
¶ Oz’s Fundraising Email Enthusiastically Touted The Supreme Court Decision To Strike Down Roe V. Wade, Calling It “A Win For The Pro-Life Movement”
Oz’s Fundraising Email Enthusiastically Touted The Supreme Court Decision To Strike Down Roe V. Wade, Calling It “A Win For The Pro-Life Movement,” And Claimed The “Fight Is Just Beginning.” Oz wrote, “The Supreme Court HAS OFFICIALLY voted to strike down Roe v. Wade. RUSH SUPPORT FOR LIFE NOW! This is a win for the Pro-Life movement, but the fight is just beginning. Democrats will try to undermine this ruling by codifying Roe into federal law, and my socialist opponent John Fetterman will help them do it. John Fetterman is about as RADICAL as it gets…He has said that there is not a single abortion restriction he would support. Fetterman is already raising millions of dollars on the Supreme Court decision, and he will use that dirty money to buy this Senate seat. Pennsylvanians cannot afford this.” [Oz Fundraising Email, 6/24/22]
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¶ Despite Saying That Abortion SHould Be Legislated By Individual STates And Not By The Federal Government, Oz Failed To Outright Condemn A 15 Week Abortion Ban Proposed By SEnator Graham
¶ Oz Repeatedly Stated That The Abortion Laws Should Be Left To The States And Not Be Legislated On The Federal Level
Oz Released A Statement On The Supreme Court Leak: ‘The Court Is Right. Roe Was Wrongly Decided. Abortion Laws Should Be Left Up To The American People And Their Elected Representatives.” According to Philadelphia Inquirer, “On Tuesday, Oz released a statement on the Supreme Court leak: ‘The Court is right. Roe was wrongly decided. Abortion laws should be left up to the American people and their elected representatives. I look forward to supporting pro-life legislation that saves innocent lives in the U.S. Senate.’” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/3/22]
[VIDEO] Oz Praised The Repeal Of Roe Because He Believed Abortion Should Not Be Legislated On The Federal Level. “He talked about his stance on abortion… ‘Well, I’m a pro-life candidate. I feel all along that individual states should be making these decisions because the lower the decisions are made closer to the people, not at the federal level, the more they’re gonna reflect the desires of the people.’ Oz said he supports exceptions only for abortions due to rape, incest, or safety of the mother.” [WBRE: Eyewitness News, 5/10/22]
[VIDEO] Oz Stated That He Thought Roe Was Wrongly Decided And That “The Federal Government Controls Too Much.” “Steve, I think Roe was wrongly decided. This is the correction of an error. The states should be making these decisions. It gives people power. This is exactly what I would like to see more of as a U.S. Senator. The federal government controls too much. It’s too authoritarian. It’s too overreaching. Give states the right to make these decisions, that way citizens, people viewing the show right now, can be more involved.” [Fox News Channel: Fox & Friends, 6/13/22]
¶ Oz: “As A Senator. I Definitely Do Not Want The Federal Government Involved In State Decisions”
[VIDEO] When Asked About Whether Or Not Abortion Should Be Legal In Pennsylvania, Oz Responded, Stating That “As A Senator. I Definitely Do Not Want The Federal Government Involved In State Decisions.” “HOST: Here's an issue there. Here's an issue. They're hitting hard, and that's abortion. Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania. Should it? OZ: “As a Senator, I definitely do not want the federal government involved in state decisions. I have found is the position that local health care works best. I trust local democracy and the ability of voters to impact on people in Harrisburg much more than they can control what's going on in Washington.” [Fox News Channel: Special Report With Bret Baier, 9/6/22]
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¶ Oz Failed To Outright Oppose The Proposed 15 Week Abortion Ban
Oz Failed To Stated Whether He Would Support A 15 Week Abortion Ban. Julia Terruso tweeted, “Oz on 15-week abortion ban, from spokes Brittany Yanick: 'Dr Oz is pro-life with three exceptions: life of the mother, rape and incest. And as a senator, he'd want to make sure that the federal government is not involved in interfering with the state's decisions on the topic.'” [Twitter, @JuliaTerruso, 9/13/22]
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Oz’s Campaign Had Not Responded To Insider’s Requests For Comment On How He Would Vote On Graham’s Bill, Which Could Come To The Senate Floor If The GOP Gained A Majority In The Upper Chamber In November. According to Insider, “The Oz campaign, for example, has said the Republican candidate — who has described abortion as ‘murder’ — generally supports leaving the issue up to the states. But his campaign has also not responded to Insider’s requests for comment on how he would vote on Graham’s bill, which could come to the Senate floor if the GOP gains a majority in the upper chamber this November.” [Insider, 9/15/22]
In A Statement Issued After Graham’s Proposal, Oz — Who Said He Opposes Abortion From Conception, But With Exceptions To Protect The Life Of The Mother And In Cases Of Rape And Incest —Sidestepped A Direct Answer On What He Thought Of The Graham Bill. According to Associated Press, “Meanwhile, as Oz tries to shift the focus of the campaign away from abortion rights, the issue shows no sign of waning from voter’s minds. On Tuesday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina proposed a federal 15-week abortion ban bill, which Democrats seized on as an example of the extreme policies that Republicans will pursue if they win control of Congress in November. In a statement issued after Graham’s proposal, Oz — who has said he opposes abortion from conception, but with exceptions to protect the life of the mother and in cases of rape and incest —sidestepped a direct answer on what he thought of the bill. ‘As a senator, he’d want to make sure that the federal government is not involved in interfering with the state’s decisions on the topic,’ Oz’s campaign said in the statement. Noting Oz avoided saying whether he would support Graham’s bill, Fetterman suggested that Oz’s position of leaving the issue up to the states would result in far stricter bans in some places.” [Associated Press, 9/15/22]
Oz Was Cagey On Graham’s 15 Week Abortion Ban, Issuing An Opaque Statement Where He Implied That He Wouldn’t Support The Legislation, But Didn’t Say That Outright. According to FiveThirtyEight, “Cagey: […] Pennsylvania candidate Mehmet Oz issued a somewhat opaque statement where he implied that he wouldn’t support the legislation, but didn’t say that outright. His spokesperson said that he’s ‘pro-life with three exceptions: life of the mother, rape and incest,’ but added that ‘as a senator, he’d want to make sure that the federal government is not involved in interfering with the state’s decisions on the topic.’” [FiveThirtyEight, 9/19/22]
¶ Oz Faced Criticism From Physicians For His Anti-Choice Stance
Oz Referred To Himself As A “Pro-life Candidate,” And Supported The U.s. Supreme Court’s Decision In June To Overturn Roe V. Wade. According to WITF, “The doctors group is targeting Oz’s medical treatment recommendations and health product promotions during his time as host of ‘The Dr. Oz Show,’ his comments on COVID-19 treatments and protocols, as well as his stance on abortion and reproductive rights. Oz has referred to himself as a ‘pro-life candidate,’ and supported the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June to overturn Roe v. Wade.” [WITF, 8/11/22]
Oz’s Position Has Put Him At Odds With Abortion Providers Like Dr. Lisa Perriera, An Ob-GYN, Abortion Provider, And Chief Medical Director At The Women’s Centers, Who Stated That She “Know[s] What Happens When Abortion Becomes Illegal. Everything Gets Harder For Pregnant People.” According to WITF, “Oz’s position has put him at odds with abortion providers like Dr. Lisa Perriera, an OB-GYN, abortion provider, and chief medical director at the Women’s Centers, which offers abortion services in Philadelphia and Delaware County. ‘I know what happens when abortion becomes illegal. Everything gets harder for pregnant people,’ Perriera said. ‘If Dr. Oz were elected, he would only make the struggle for my patients harder.’” [WITF, 8/11/22]
¶ Oz Picked Up An Endorsement From Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Candidate Fund
Oz Picked Up An Endorsement From Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Candidate Fund, Which Pledged To Spend $2.3 Million In The Coming Months To Frame Candidates Like Fetterman As Being Too “Extreme” On Abortion Policy. According to City & State, “Oz, the celebrity physician backed by former President Donald Trump, picked up an endorsement from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Candidate Fund on Friday, which pledged to spend $2.3 million in the coming months to frame candidates like Fetterman as being too ‘extreme’ on abortion policy.” [City & State, 7/1/22]
Marjorie Dannenfelser, President Of Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America: “Dr. Mehmet Oz Has Cared For Tiny Babies As Patients. He Knows How Precious Life Is And Is Committed To Defending It.” According to City & State, “’Dr. Mehmet Oz has cared for tiny babies as patients. He knows how precious life is and is committed to defending it,’ said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. ‘John Fetterman is backed by the abortion lobby and believes abortion is ‘sacred’ and ‘non-negotiable,’ even painful, late-term abortions, right up to birth.’” [City & State, 7/1/22]
¶ Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser Stated That Oz Would Be A “Strong Advocate” In Washington
Dannenfelser Said Oz Was “Well Equipped To Speak To The Scientific And Medical Facts About The Humanity Of The Unborn And Will Be A Strong Advocate In Washington.” According to City & State, “Dannenfelser said Oz is ‘well equipped to speak to the scientific and medical facts about the humanity of the unborn and will be a strong advocate in Washington.’” [City & State, 7/1/22
¶ Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Canvassed For Oz And Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Doug Mastriano
Chris Tarcson Of Dubois, Who Works For Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America, Said Their Canvasing Teams Canvas For Pro-life Candidates Who They Endorse, Which Is Oz And Republican Doug Mastriano. According to The Progress, “Chris Tarcson of DuBois, who works for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said their canvasing teams canvas for pro-life candidates who they endorse, which is Oz and Republican Doug Mastriano, who is running for governor against Democrat Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s current Attorney General. ‘I wanted to come out and meet him (Oz) because we’ve been on conference calls with him, but I’ve never met in person,’ said Tarcson. ‘I love his policies for the state,’ said Tarcson. ‘We’ve had an administration that was both unconstitutional and tyrannical and failed within their policies. And as an outsider, he’s bringing in a breath of a fresh new air for the policies that we need to change the state for the better.’” [The Progress, 8/22/22]
¶ Planned Parenthood Votes Rolled Out A $3 Million Television Ad Buy In Pennsylvania Accusing Oz Of Being “Too Extreme” On Abortion For Pennsylvania
Planned Parenthood Votes Rolled Out A $3 Million Television Ad Buy In Pennsylvania On Republican Senate Nominee Mehmet Oz Over His Stance On Abortion Access, Accusing Oz Of Wanting To Make The Procedure “A Crime In Pennsylvania” And Being “Too Extreme” For The State On The Issue. According to The Hill, “Planned Parenthood Votes on Thursday rolled out a $3 million television ad buy in Pennsylvania on Thursday Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz over his stance on abortion access. The 30-second ad accuses Oz of wanting to make the procedure ‘a crime in Pennsylvania’ and being ‘too extreme’ for the state on the issue. Oz said during the state’s Republican Senate primary that he is against abortion except in the cases of rape and incest or when the mother’s life is in jeopardy.” [The Hill, 6/30/22]