Highlights:
2000: Pence: “Roe vs. Wade Was Legally Poorly Conceived And Morally Wrong And Should Be Overturned.” According to Mike Pence For Congress, “• A fundamental axiom of Western Civilization is the belief in the sanctity of human life. The 107th Congress must be about the business of reasserting this crucial principle of our society. • The unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. Roe vs. Wade was legally poorly conceived and morally wrong and should be overturned.” [Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]
2011: Pence Said That He Would Keep Joining March For Life Until “Roe v. Wade Is Sent To The Ash Heap Of History Where It Belongs.” According to the Weekly Standard, “Indiana congressman Mike Pence of Indiana--who's deciding this week between running for president and governor--delivered a strong, succinct (372 words by my count) speech at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. today. Pence pushed back against the proposal--advanced by fellow Hoosier Gov. Mitch Daniels--that the issue of abortion should somehow be set aside while the economy is struggling. Said Pence: […] ‘We gather to mark the 38th anniversary of the worst Supreme Court decision since Dred Scott. And we gather today in the shadow of a new pro-life majority on Capitol Hill. And we will keep gathering until Roe v. Wade is sent to the ash heap of history where it belongs.” [Weekly Standard, 1/24/11]
2021: Pence Repeated Hope Roe v. Wade Decision Would Be Sent To “Ash Heap Of History” Ahead Of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Oral Arguments. According to The Hill, “Former Vice President Mike Pence delivered remarks ahead of oral arguments in a Supreme Court case that could overturn Roe v. Wade, urging justices to send the ruling legalizing abortion in the United States to the ‘ash heap of history.’ ‘Today, as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in those hallowed halls, we are here to declare with one voice ‘no more,’’ Pence said to applause. The former vice president expressed optimism that momentum was turning in favor of the anti-abortion movement, particularly among younger Americans. ‘Life is winning in America, but now we need life to win in the highest court in the land,’ Pence said. Pence made the remarks at the National Press Club in Washington with prominent anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List.” [The Hill, 11/30/21]
2022: Pence Repeated Call For Roe To Be Overturned In Rockingham County GOP Speech. According to the Union Leader, “Former Vice President Mike Pence focused his speech to the Rockingham County Republicans on the midterm elections, even as the focus has been on his own political future as he makes his third visit to New Hampshire since leaving office. ‘This is no ordinary time. This is no ordinary election,’ Pence said Thursday evening. ‘We’ve got to remind voters what we accomplished in our season of service.’ Discussing his time as vice president, Pence focused on former President Donald Trump’s appointment of three Supreme Court justices — and said he wants to see the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion overturning the Roe v. Wade case that made abortion legal.” [Union Leader, 5/26/22]
2022: Pence Called To End Roe At March For Life Summit; “Roe Must Go.” According to Fox News, “If the court overturns the long-standing abortion precedent in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey – two landmark cases that prevent state governments from banning abortions at certain points during pregnancy – then abortion decisions would be left to the states. Several red states, for example, have already passed "trigger laws" designed to immediately restrict abortion once the Supreme Court overturns Roe. Meanwhile, blue and purple states would likely face renewed political pressure on keeping less restrictive laws. With all this at stake, energized anti-abortion activists flocked to Washington this week for the annual March for Life on Friday and the summit on Saturday. Pence reiterated the rallying cry, saying ‘Roe must go!’” [Fox News, 1/23/22]
2007: Pence Called Roe v. Wade “The Worst Supreme Court Decision Since Dred Scott.” According to Pence’s comments at a National March for Life rally, “‘It is the 22nd of January again. On this cold anniversary of the worst Supreme Court decision since Dred Scott, all across this land, because of the prayers and compassion of every one of you, springtime is breaking forth in the battle between choice and life.’” [Press Release – Office of Rep. Pence, 1/22/07]
Pence Said He Was Praying Leaked Draft Opinion To Overturn Roe Becomes Final Majority Opinion. According to Fox News, “Former Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News on Wednesday he is praying the leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade becomes the final majority opinion of the high court. ‘Let me say that it is my hope and literally my prayer that the draft opinion that was leaked a week ago in the Dobbs case before the Supreme Court becomes the majority opinion and that we're able to overturn Roe versus Wade and return the question of abortion to the states and the American people,’ Pence told host Martha MacCallum on ‘The Story.’ ‘As a pro-life American, I welcome that. And I truly do believe that it's a pathway toward literally lowering the volume on this issue by returning it to the American people and to their elected representatives.’” [Fox News, 5/11/22]
Pence After The Supreme Court Overturned Roe v. Wade: “I Commend The Justices In The Majority For Having The Courage Of Their Convictions.” According to Breitbart, “Former Vice President Mike Pence told Breitbart News exclusively on Friday he is thrilled the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and shifted the battle for life and against abortion back to the states. ‘Today, Life Won. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court of the United States has given the American people a new beginning for life, and I commend the justices in the majority for having the courage of their convictions,’ Pence said in response to the 5-4 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. [Breitbart, 6/24/22]
Pence Tweeted “Today, Life Won” In Response To Supreme Court Overturning Roe. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “Today, Life Won. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court of the United States has given the American people a new beginning for life and I commend the Justices in the majority for having the courage of their convictions.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 6/24/22]
Pence Said “Supreme Court Has Righted A Historic Wrong” By Overturning Roe. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “By returning the question of abortion to the states and the people, this Supreme Court has righted a historic wrong, and reaffirmed to right of the American people to govern themselves at the state level in a manner consistent with their values and aspirations.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 6/24/22]
Pence Said America Had An Opportunity To Become “More Perfect Union” Because Roe Was Overturned. According to WBTW, “Pence mentioned the three conservative Supreme Court Justices who were appointed during Donald Trump’s presidency. ‘They made possible that decision just a few short weeks ago, that ended the judicial tyranny of Roe v. Wade,’ Pence said. Pence said the Supreme Court ‘restored democracy’ and said America was ‘liberated’ from Roe v. Wade. Pence said ‘Without a doubt, the Supreme Court was right to overturn Roe v. Wade.’ He called Roe v. Wade a ‘moral, legal, and constitutional travesty.’ ‘I believe with all my heart, that with Roe gone, we have the opportunity to become a more perfect union,’ Pence said.” [WBTW, 7/21/22]
Pence Celebrated Overturning Of Roe And Said “Must Not Relent Until The Sanctity Of Life Is Restored To The Center Of American Law In Every State.” According to Breitbart, “‘By returning the question of abortion to the states and to the people, this Supreme Court has righted an historic wrong and reaffirmed the right of the American people to govern themselves at the state level in a manner consistent with their values and aspirations,’ Pence continued in the statement. ‘Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged, and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and the support for women in crisis pregnancy centers to every state in America. Having been given this second chance for Life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land.’” [Breitbart, 6/24/22]
Pence Said Now That Roe Was Overturned It Was Incumbent On All To “Take Defense Of The Unborn” And “Support For Women In Crisis Pregnancies” To Every State. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn......and support for women in crisis pregnancies to every state Capitol in America. Having been given this second chance for Life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 6/24/22]
Pence Hailed End Of Roe And Outlined Steps To Further Roll Back Abortion Access In First Public Remarks Since Supreme Court Decision. According to The Hill, “Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday hailed the end of Roe v. Wade and outlined steps he hoped to see states take to further roll back abortion access in his first public remarks since the Supreme Court overturned Roe. ‘I believe with all my heart that with Roe gone we have the opportunity to become a more perfect union,’ Pence said in a speech at the Florence Baptist Temple in Florence, S.C.” [The Hill, 7/20/22]
Pence Said “We Save The Babies, We Will Save America” In Florence Baptist Church Speech. According to WBTW, “‘We save the babies, we will save America,’ Pence said to applause from the audience. Pence called for anti-abortion legislation in all 50 states. ‘We must resolve that we will not rest, we will not relent, until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the nation,’ Pence said.” [WBTW, 7/21/22]
Pence Said That End Of Roe Was Only “The End Of The Beginning” And That He Would Not Rest Until “Sanctity Of Life” Was Restored In “Every State.” According to The Hill, “‘But make no mistake about it: As we gather tonight, we must recognize that we have only come to the end of the beginning,’ Pence continued. ‘Standing here in the first days of post-Roe America, we must resolve that we will not rest, we will not relent, until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the nation.’” [The Hill, 7/20/22]
At A Pregnancy Center Event, Pence Said “We Will Restore The Sanctity Of Life To The Center Of American Law In Every State.” According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “So Press On! Press On with support for the compassionate work AWPC and pregnancy resource centers around America! Press On in your stand for Life. Press On and I know we will restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in the Nation. So Help Us God.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 10/14/22]
Pence Called For Reduction Of Adoption Regulations And For Employers To Promote Adoption. According to the New York Times, “He also called for paring back ‘the tangle’ of adoption regulations, and for employers who pay for employee travel for abortion to promote adoption instead. His proposals received much applause, and shouts of ‘Amen.’” [New York Times, 10/14/22]
Pence Said Work Must Go Far Beyond Making Abortion Illegal To Making It “Unthinkable” At Crisis Pregnancy Speech In Florida. According to the New York Times, “Former Vice President Mike Pence shared his vision for a post-Roe America on Thursday evening, supporting efforts to further limit abortion rights, even as many in the Republican Party are running away from the issue in the final stretch of the midterm elections. ‘Our work must also go far beyond simply working to make abortion illegal,’ Mr. Pence said to a banquet hall of about 1,200 people. ‘We must continue to work to make it unthinkable, changing hearts and minds.’ Mr. Pence, who has made abortion a centerpiece of his political platform since his days as a congressman from Indiana, was speaking at a fund-raiser for a crisis pregnancy center. Such centers, supported by anti-abortion activists, do not refer clients for abortion but rather encourage adoption or parenting.” [New York Times, 10/14/22]
Pence Celebrated The One-Year Anniversary Of Roe v. Wade Being Overturned
Pence Celebrated The First Anniversary Of The Overturning Of Roe v. Wade, Saying “Pro-Life Americans Will Not Rest Or Relent” Until The “Sanctity Of Life” Was Restored To The “Center Of American Law In Every State.” According to Mike Pence on Twitter, “One year ago today, Life Won! The Supreme Court sent Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs and gave the American people a new beginning for Life. Now, as we chart a new course in the Cause for Life, we have the opportunity to save countless innocent lives by standing for the Unborn with principle and compassion. Pro-Life Americans will not rest or relent until the sanctity of Life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land! #ProLife” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 6/24/23]
Pence Was The Only Presidential Candidate To Speak At The National Celebrate Life Rally Commemorating The One-Year Anniversary Of Roe Being Overturned. According to Politico, “But Pence is an outlier. He will be the only major presidential candidate to speak at the National Celebrate Life Rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Saturday to commemorate the Supreme Court ruling.” [Politico, 6/24/23]
2003: Pence Cited Ancient Greek Physician’s Belief That Abortion Was Only Permissible When Mother’s Life Was In Danger. According to BuzzFeed, “A 2003 speech Pence gave on the House floor offers insight into his conviction on the issue. In arguing that ‘for roughly 3,000 years in Western civilization… abortion was immoral and unethical’ prior to the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, Pence approvingly cited the ancient Greek physician Soranos’ belief that it was only permissible when the mother’s life was in danger. ‘In fact, the Ephesian, Soranos, often described as the greatest ancient gynecologist from whom we obtain the word and the practice of gynecology was, as history records, deeply opposed to Rome´s prevailing free abortion practice,’ Pence said. ‘Soranos found it necessary to think first of the life of the mother and resorted to an abortion when he thought the life of the mother was in danger, but it was otherwise unacceptable.’ He continued, ‘At the time of Soranos, Greek and Roman law afforded little protection to the unborn until Christianity took root in the Roman Empire, and then it changed. And from that point forward, after the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, infanticide and abortion were treated as equally criminal acts, alongside murder.’” [BuzzFeed, 9/13/16]
2005: Pence Backed A Constitutional Amendment To Ban Abortion, Including In Cases Of Rape Or Incest. According to The Washington Post, “Pence also backs a constitutional amendment to ban abortion, saying he is against the procedure in all cases --including rape and incest -- except when the life of the mother is at stake.” [Washington Post, 3/22/05]
2010: Pence Responded To Indiana Right To Life Endorsement Questionnaire Saying Abortion Should Never Be Legal. According to BuzzFeed, “But as a congressman in 2010, filling out a questionnaire from the group Indiana Right to Life, Pence answered the question, ‘Under what circumstances do you believe abortion should be legal?’ by selecting option ‘A’, which was ‘Abortion should never be legal.’” [BuzzFeed, 9/13/16]
2012: Pence Responded To Indiana Right To Life Endorsement Questionnaire Saying Abortion Should Be Allowed If Life Of The Mother Was At Risk. According to BuzzFeed, “As a congressman in 2010, filling out a questionnaire from the group Indiana Right to Life, Pence answered the question, ‘Under what circumstances do you believe abortion should be legal?’ by selecting option ‘A’, which was ‘Abortion should never be legal.’ Two years later, as a gubernatorial candidate in 2012, Pence responded to the same question by selecting option ‘B’ (‘Life of the mother only’) and not option ‘C’ (‘Rape and/or incest’).” [BuzzFeed, 9/13/16]
March 2016: Pence Signed Law Prohibiting People From Having An Abortion Based On The Sex, Race, Or Diagnosed Disability Of The Fetus. According to Evansville Courier & Press, “‘This statute does something the (U.S.) Supreme Court has said repeatedly cannot be done,’ Falk said. ‘It is an attempt by the state of Indiana to interfere with and actually prohibit a woman’s right to determine whether or not to have an abortion.’ […] The new law, signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence two weeks ago, takes away that right, Falk said. HB 1337, authored by Rep. Casey Cox, R-Fort Wayne, prohibits women from having an abortion based on the sex or race of the fetus -- or a diagnosed disability, such as Down syndrome.” [Evansville Courier & Press, 4/8/16]
March 2016 Indiana Abortion Law Also Restricted Fetal Tissue Donation And Required Doctors Performing Abortions To Have Admitting Privileges. According to the New York Times, “In addition to holding doctors liable if a woman has an abortion solely because of objections to the fetus’s race, sex or a disability, like Down syndrome, the law restricts fetal tissue donation and requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital or to have an agreement with a doctor who does.” [New York Times, 3/25/16]
Pence Abortion Law Would Have Required Identities Of Abortion Providers Be Made Public, Funerals Be Held For Fetal Remains, And That Women Undergo Ultrasound Before Having An Abortion. According to the Indianapolis Star, “The law also would have required that the identities of abortion providers be made public, that funerals be held for fetal remains and that women undergo an ultrasound at least 18 hours prior to having an abortion. Also, individual doctors would be liable for violating provisions of the law.” [Indianapolis Star, 9/25/17]
2016: Federal Judge Blocked Law That Would Have Banned Abortions Based Solely On Fetus’ Disability Or Genetic Anomaly. According to the New York Times, “A federal judge on Thursday blocked an Indiana law that would have banned abortions based solely on a fetus’s disability or genetic anomaly, suggesting that it was an illegal limit on a woman’s long-established constitutional right. Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, of Federal District Court for Southern Indiana, also held up a state ban on abortions motivated solely by a fetus’s race or sex. In the preliminary injunction, Judge Pratt said limiting the reasons for an abortion was ‘inconsistent with the notion of a right rooted in privacy concerns and a liberty right to make independent decisions.’” [New York Times, 7/1/16]
2018: Federal Appeals Court Ruled March 2016 Indiana Abortion Law Was Unconstitutional. According to CNN, “A federal appeals court has ruled that an Indiana abortion law signed by Vice President Mike Pence when he served as the state’s governor is unconstitutional. The legislation, signed by Pence in March 2016, imposed restrictions on a woman’s ability to seek an abortion, including in cases where the child would be born with a disability. The 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling on the law Thursday. Judge William Bauer wrote in the decision that provisions in the law that bar women from seeking abortions in certain cases ‘clearly violate’ what he described as ‘well-established Supreme Court precedent, and are therefore, unconstitutional.’” [CNN, 4/20/18]
2019: The Supreme Court Upheld Indiana Law’s Restrictions On Disposal Of Fetal Remains, But Did Not Address Part Of Law That Would Have Prohibited Abortions Based On Potential Disability. According to the Washington Post, “The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to a compromise on Indiana’s contested abortion law, an outcome that revealed its openness to state restrictions on the procedure but also apparently favored a cautious and incremental path in confronting one of the nation’s enduring controversies. On one hand, the court upheld a part of Indiana’s 2016 law that places new restrictions on the disposal of fetal remains after an abortion. It reversed a decision by a lower court without the customary briefing and oral arguments. But the court said it would not revive another part of the law, which would have prohibited abortions if the woman chose the procedure because of a diagnosis or ‘potential diagnosis’ of Down syndrome or ‘any other disability,’ or because of the fetus’s gender or race.” [Washington Post, 5/28/19]
2020: U.S. Supreme Court Sent Indiana Abortion Dispute Back To Lower Court. According to POLITICO, “The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to take up several abortion cases, just days after striking down a Louisiana law in the first major abortion decision since President Donald Trump's two appointees joined the bench. But the justices, citing their decision in the Louisiana case, also sent back to a lower federal court two challenges to two Indiana laws - one signed in 2016 by then-Gov. Mike Pence, that required an ultrasound and an 18-hour waiting period before an abortion and another that requires minors to obtain parental consent before the procedure. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals previously blocked the restrictions from taking effect, but the Supreme Court threw out its ruling and asked the 7th Circuit to revisit that decision.” [POLITICO, 7/2/20]
2020: Lawsuit Challenged Indiana Laws On Disposal Of Fetal Remains Passed Under Pence. According to the Associated Press, “An Indianapolis abortion clinic is suing the state of Indiana, challenging provisions of a state law upheld last year by the U.S. Supreme Court requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated after an abortion. The federal lawsuit, filed Monday, contends that requirement and other Indiana statues requiring the same disposition method for fetal remains following a miscarriage violate the Constitution because they force the state’s definition of a person onto women who might not share the same beliefs. […] Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky previously sued the state in 2016 after Vice President Mike Pence signed a law with the fetal disposition provision into effect in 2016 when he was Indiana’s governor. Indiana appealed the lawsuit all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the law in May 2019, allowing the state to enforce the requirement that abortion clinics either bury or cremate fetal remains following an abortion. The high court's decision reversed a ruling by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals court that had blocked it. The justices said in an unsigned opinion that the case does not involve limits on abortion rights.” [Associated Press, 12/22/20]
2021: Pence Law Requiring Ultrasounds For Women Seeking Abortions In Indiana Went Into Effect After Being Caught Up In Courts For More Than Four Years. According to the Indianapolis Star, “An Indiana law requiring ultrasounds for women seeking an abortion went into effect Friday after being in limbo for more than four years. Here's what you need to know about the new law: What does the law do? The law requires women seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound 18 hours before the procedure. The woman can decline, in writing, to view the ultrasound imaging or hear the heartbeat. When was the law signed? The law was signed in 2016 by then-Gov. Mike Pence. But in July of that year, Planned Parenthood sued, saying the law placed an undue burden on the patient.” [Indianapolis Star, 1/2/21]
2022: A Judge Barred Indiana From Enforcing 2016 Pence Law That Required Abortion Clinics To Either Bury Or Cremate Fetal Remains, Declared Law Unconstitutional. According to the Associated Press, “A federal judge has barred Indiana from enforcing a 2016 law's provisions that require abortion clinics to either bury or cremate fetal remains, finding that they violate the U.S. Constitution. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young ruled that the law’s requirements infringe on the religious and free speech rights of people who do not believe aborted fetuses deserve the same treatment as deceased people. […] Shortly after the law was signed in 2016 by then-Gov. Mike Pence, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky and the ACLU of Indiana sued the state over the law.” [Associated Press, 9/28/22]
Pence Was “Pleased” With Legislation Requiring A Clinic That Prescribes An Abortion-Inducing Drug To Meet The Same Building Requirements As For Surgery. According to the Indianapolis Star, “Abortion legislation: Pence was asked if he was disappointed Indiana didn’t go as far as North Dakota in blocking abortions after six weeks. Legislation here would require a clinic that prescribes an abortion-inducing drug to meet the same building requirements as for surgery, including wider hallways, sterilization equipment and a recovery room. ‘Let me say I’m pleased with this legislation,’ Pence said, saying he expects to sign it. ‘I’m pro-life, and I believe in the sanctity of life. But I also believe the state of Indiana has an interest in seeing to the proper administration of health care to women in this state,’ Pence said, arguing that the bill ‘advances proper medical care for women.’” [Indianapolis Star, 4/7/13]
Pence Signed Bill That Required Clinics That Provide Drug-Induced abortions To Meet The Same Standards As Clinics That Perform Surgical Abortions. According to the Associated Press, “Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law a bill tightening the state's regulations on distribution of the abortion pill and clinics that provide only drug-induced abortions. The governor's office says Pence on Wednesday signed the bill that cleared the Republican-dominated Legislature last month. Pence says the new law will ensure that the abortion pill is given under proper medical care. The new law will require clinics that provide only drug-induced abortions to meet the same standards as clinics that perform surgical abortions. Opponents contend the restrictions unfairly target poor women and are aimed at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Lafayette that's the only non-surgical abortion site in the state.” [Associated Press, 5/1/13]
Legislation Requiring Clinics Distributing Medication Abortions Meet Same Standards AS Clinics That Perform Surgical Abortions Affected Planned Parenthood Clinic In Lafayette, Indiana. According to WBAA, “The signed legislation would require Indiana abortion clinics that only dispense the abortion inducing drug known as RU-486 to adhere to the same physical standards as surgical abortion clinics. That includes bigger door and room sizes and surgical equipment requirements. Only one Indiana facility will be affected – a Planned Parenthood clinic in Lafayette.” [WBAA, 5/1/13]
Planned Parenthood Sued Pence Over SB 371, Law That Required Clinics That Provided Medication Abortions To Meet Same Standards As Clinics That Offered Surgical Procedures. According to Reuters, “Planned Parenthood on Thursday filed a federal challenge to a new Indiana law requiring clinics that administer the so-called abortion pill to have full surgical facilities, a requirement it says would halt abortion services at a central Indiana clinic. Under the law, Planned Parenthood would have to upgrade its clinic in Lafayette, Indiana, to surgical standards or stop administering RU-486, commonly called the abortion pill, it said in a lawsuit filed in Indianapolis federal court. Imposing surgical facility requirements on clinics where no surgery is performed ‘is not only unreasonable, it is utterly irrational ...,’ Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky said in the lawsuit, which seeks a federal court injunction.” [Reuters, 8/22/13]
Federal Court Ultimately Blocked State Of Indiana From Enforcing Law That Would Have Closed Planned Parenthood In Lafayette, Indiana Over Requirement That Facilities That Provide Medication Abortions Meet Same Standards As Those That Provide Surgical Abortions. According to the Journal & Courier, “An injunction against a 2013 law that targeted Planned Parenthood's Lafayette facility will continue permanently. On Wednesday, a U.S. District Court judge made a final ruling on the lawsuit that's hung over of the Lafayette clinic for more than a year. The ruling prohibits the state of Indiana from enforcing the law that would have closed the center. ‘We're happy that this case is resolved and that we can continue providing services in Lafayette uninterrupted just as we have done for nearly 50 years,’ said Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky.” [Journal & Courier, 1/7/15]
Pence Signed Legislation To Ban Insurance Coverage For Most Abortion Procedures. According to the Indianapolis Star, “Pence also touted his policies on abortion, bringing up the legislation he signed in 2013 that banned insurance coverage for most abortion procedures. ‘Life is winning in Indiana, because of the efforts of all of you,’ Pence said. ‘Life is winning in this state - I truly believe - because compassion is overcoming convenience. Life is defeating despair.’” [Indianapolis Star, 9/19/14]
September 2005: Pence Urged Congress To Pass Parental Notification Requirements For Abortions. According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “To that end, there are other priorities once we work past this crisis: […] - Pass additional legislative limitations on abortion, including parental notification and strengthening informed consent” [Congressional Press Releases, 9/26/05]
Pence Supported A Federal Ban On Abortions After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy. According to the Associated Press, “Gov. Mike Pence and a group of other possible Republican presidential contenders have thrown their support behind a federal ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and other possible Republican contenders wrote to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, in support of his proposed ban, which is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. ‘It is for these reason that I wholeheartedly support (the legislation) and join you in urging Senate leadership to allow a vote on this important piece of pro-life legislation,’ Pence wrote in the April 3, 2014 letter.” [Associated Press, 9/17/14]
2011 And 2009: Pence Voted To Prohibit Federal Funding For Abortion, Except In Cases Of Rape, Incest, Or Life Of The Mother. In May 2011 and November 2009, Pence voted for a bill, which, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “prohibit[ed] federal funding for abortion services, except in cases of rape, incest or when the woman’s life is endangered. It would [have] modif[ied] tax breaks given for health insurance coverage to exclude coverage for abortion, prohibit[ed] federal medical facilities from providing abortion services.” The House passed the bill with a vote of 251 to 175. The Senate took no subsequent action. [House Vote 292, 5/4/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3; Congressional Quarterly, 5/4/11; House Vote 885, 11/7/09; Congressional Actions, 11/7/09; Congressional Quarterly, 11/7/09; Congressional Quarterly, 11/7/09]
2012: Pence Co-Sponsored Congressional Legislation To Require Ultrasounds For Women Seeking Abortions Before 12 Weeks. According to the Indianapolis Star, “He cited Pence’s record in Congress, including co-sponsoring a bill that would have redefined rape so that Medicaid would cover abortions only if the rape was ‘forcible,’ something Gregg argued was redundant; leading a fight in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood; and co-sponsoring an effort that would require an ultrasound for women seeking an abortion before 12 weeks of gestation.” [Indianapolis Star, 6/5/12]
2010, 2011: Pence Twice Co-Sponsored Legislation That Included Provisions To Redefine The Definition Of Rape To “Forcible Rape.” According to the Associated Press, “Democratic Senate candidate Joe Donnelly and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike PENCE twice sponsored legislation that would separate out ‘forcible rape’ when it comes to federal funding of abortions. Donnelly and PENCE signed onto a 2011 bill co-sponsored by Akin, Republican vice presidential pick Paul Ryan, and almost every other House Republican, that would have redefined rape for the purposes of seeking an abortion. The Donnelly and PENCE campaigns called the defining of rape in the bill something the congressmen had overlooked and said it was quickly removed from the measure once it was found. Later in the week, it was discovered they had both signed onto a 2010 bill with the same language. ‘If they think they should be making laws that deal with that issue, they ought to pay attention,’ said Betty Cockrum, president of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. ‘.And if they’re that clueless and about the use of a term like ‘forcible’ when it comes to the issue of rape, they shouldn’t get anywhere near it.’ Neither campaign could or would explain why the candidates approved the language in the 2010 bill, but not the 2011 bill.” [Associated Press, 8/26/12]
Pence Co-Sponsored Legislation That Changed The Definition Of Rape In Order To Stop Medicaid Coverage Of Abortions For Rape Unless The Rape Was “Forcible.” According to the Indianapolis Star, “He cited Pence’s record in Congress, including co-sponsoring a bill that would have redefined rape so that Medicaid would cover abortions only if the rape was ‘forcible,’ something Gregg argued was redundant; leading a fight in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood; and co-sponsoring an effort that would require an ultrasound for women seeking an abortion before 12 weeks of gestation.” [Indianapolis Star, 6/5/12]
2004: Pence Voted Against Prohibiting Employers From Joining An Association Health Insurance Plan If It Allowed For Reduced Coverage For Women’s Health, Including Breast Cancer. In May 2004, Pence effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] employers from joining a health plan if it [allowed] for a reduction in breast cancer coverage.” The underlying bill, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “permit[ted] the creation of association health plans under which small businesses could band together through associations to purchase health insurance for their employees. […] The association health plans [AHPs] created by the measure would be exempt from state health insurance regulations,” including “any state-mandated benefit package, such as a requirement that treatment for a certain disease or a certain medical screening procedure be covered. However, the plan would be required to comply with state laws in which it is domiciled that require coverage of specific diseases.” The vote was on a motion to recommit the bill with instructions to report the bill back with the specified amendment. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 196 to 218. [House Vote 173, 5/13/04; Congressional Quarterly, 5/13/04; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4281; Congressional Record, 5/13/04]
Proposed Amendment Would Have Prevented Reductions In Coverage For Breast Cancer Screening And Tests, Pregnancy And Childbirth Expenses, Child Care, And Obstetric Or Gynecological Services. According to the text of the motion to recommit, “A type of coverage is described in this paragraph if it consists of-- (A) coverage for breast cancer screening and tests recommended by a physician, (B) coverage for the expenses of pregnancy and childbirth, (C) coverage for well child care, or (D) direct access to those obstetric or gynecological services which are provided by the plan.” [Congressional Record, 5/13/04]
2005: Pence Voted Against Allowing States To Require Small Business Group Multi-State Health Plans To Cover Pregnancy, Childbirth, Child Care, Screenings And Physician-Recommended Tests For Breast And Cervical Cancer, Mental Illness, And Diabetes. In July 2005, Pence effectively voted against an amendment that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “maintain[ed] state health coverage for pregnancy, childbirth, child care, breast and cervical cancer screening and tests recommended by a physician, mental illness and diabetes.” The underlying bill, according to Congressional Quarterly, created association health plans (AHPs), which enabled groups of small businesses to collectively purchase health insurance for their employees; the plans would be exempt from state health insurance regulations, including coverage requirements. The vote was on a motion to recommit the bill with instructions that it be reported back with the specified amendment. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 198 to 230. [House Vote 425, 7/26/05; Congressional Quarterly, 7/26/05; Congressional Actions, H.R. 525; Congressional Quarterly, 7/25/05]
Bills Sponsored By Mike Pence Aimed To Defund Planned Parenthood.
| Year | Bill |
| 2011 | Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 95; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1 |
| 2009 | Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 389; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3293 |
| 2007 | CRS Summary via Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/12; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4133 |
Pence Said He Believed Funding Planned Parenthood And Similar Organizations With Taxpayer Funds Was “Morally Wrong.” According to an op-ed by Mike Pence, “‘I also believe it is morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars of millions of pro-life Americans and use them to fund organizations that provide and promote abortions, like Planned Parenthood of America.’” [Op-Ed – Mike Pence, 2/24/11]
2000: Pence Opposed Granting Federal Funds To “Domestic Or International Organizations Which Promote Abortion As A Method Of Birth Control.” According to Mike Pence For Congress, “In support of this cause, the 107th Congress should: […] • oppose the granting of federal funds to domestic or international organizations which promote abortion as a method of birth control.” [Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]
2010: Pence: “The Time Has Come To Deny Any And All Federal Funding To Planned Parenthood Of America.” While appearing on Federal News Service, Pence said, “The time has come to deny any and all federal funding to Planned Parenthood of America.” [Federal News Service, 2/19/10]
2015: Pence Called For Defunding Planned Parenthood. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “When a national controversy erupted recently over Planned Parenthood, Republican Gov. Mike Pence jumped right in the middle. […] Pence has long called for defunding the group.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 8/11/15]
January 2011: Pence Introduced The Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act. According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via the office Of Rep. Mike Pence, “U.S. Congressman Mike Pence issued the following statement today after introducing the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act. The bill currently has 122 cosponsors.” [Office Of Rep. Mike Pence, 1/6/11]
Los Angeles Times: “Pence Has Made Himself The Leader Of A Coordinated Effort To Defund Planned Parenthood.” According to the Los Angeles Times, “The House continues making its way through hundreds of amendments to a spending bill to fund the government through Sept. 30. The bill makes more than $60 billion in cuts for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year, but is unlikely to be supported by the Democratic-controlled Senate. Failure to pass a bill when the current spending plan expires on March 4 could lead to a federal government shutdown. Pence has made himself the leader of a coordinated effort to defund Planned Parenthood, which is the nation's largest provider of abortions and a longtime target of abortion foes.” [Los Angeles Times, 2/18/11]
[Video] 2011: Pence Indicated He Would “Hold Up This Entire Budget” And Implement A Government Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood Funding. While appearing on MSNBC, Mike Pence said, “WILLIE GEIST (CO-HOST): Are you willing to hold up this entire budget over defunding Planned Parenthood? PENCE: Well— well of course I am. I think the American people have begun to learn that the largest abortion provider in the country is also the largest recipient of federal funding under Title X, and they want to see that come to an end. I think there’s a broad consensus in this country, regardless of where you stand on the subject of abortion, there’s a broad consensus for decades now opposing public funding of abortion and abortion providers. ... We’re going to dig in and we’re going to fight for the principle that taxpayers should not have to subsidize the largest abortion provider in the country, namely Planned Parenthood of America.” [Media Matters, 4/5/11]
April 2011: Pence Was Asked If He Was “Willing To Hold Up This Entire Budget Over Defunding Planned Parenthood?” And Responded “Of Course I Am.” According to Howey Politics Indiana, “When Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown in the spring of 2011, then U.S. Rep. Mike Pence - before he was Indiana Governor - vocally championed a hard line of pushing specific cuts at the acknowledged risk of a government shutdown. […] Asked by MSNBC on April 5th of that year, ‘Are you willing to hold up this entire budget over defunding Planned Parenthood?’ Pence answered, ‘Well, well of course I am.’” [Howey Politics Indiana, 10/1/13]
Politico: Pence Is “On A One-Man Crusade To Deny All Federal Funding To The Group — Not Just The Money It Gets For Reproductive Health And Family Planning Services, But Every Penny It Gets For Anything.” According to Politico, “Abortion-rights advocates and abortion-rights opponents don’t see eye to eye on much, but they do agree on this: Nobody hates Planned Parenthood quite as much as Mike Pence. The Indiana Republican is on a one-man crusade to deny all federal funding to the group — not just the money it gets for reproductive health and family planning services, but every penny it gets for anything.” [Politico, 2/16/11]
Star Press Editorial: “It's Too Dramatic To Say Rep. Mike Pence Is Waging War Against Planned Parenthood. Let's Just Say It's A Crusade, And He’s Won The Latest Round.” According to an editorial by the Star Press, “It's too dramatic to say Rep. Mike Pence is waging war against Planned Parenthood. Let's just say it's a crusade, and he's won the latest round.” [Editorial – Star Press, 2/22/11]
Votes By Mike Pence To Defund Planned Parenthood.
| Year | Bill |
| 2011 | House Vote 93, 2/18/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/18/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1 |
| 2011 | House Vote 147, 2/19/11; Roll Call, 3/10/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1 |
| 2011 | House Vote 271, 4/14/11; Congressional Quarterly, 4/14/11; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 36 |
| 2009 | House Vote 643, 7/24/09; Congressional Quarterly, 7/24/09 |
| 2007 | House Vote 684, 7/19/07; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/07; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 594; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3043 |
June 2015: Trump Said Being Pro-Life Would Be A Litmus Test For His Supreme Court Picks. to a CNN transcript of Donald Trump’s remarks, “TAPPER: Let me ask you about a few social issues because they haven’t been issues you have been talking about for several years. I know you’re opposed to abortion. TRUMP: Right. I’m Pro-Choice. TAPPER: You’re pro-choice or pro-life? TRUMP: I’m pro-life. I’m sorry. TAPPER: How important is that issue to you now when President Trump picks Supreme Court justices? Would that be a litmus test? TRUMP: It is. It is. Look you have a lot of pro-choice people out there. But that is an issue. It is very interesting because in terms of polling, the pro-choice is actually going down a little bit.” [CNN – Trump Transcript, 6/28/15]
2016: Trump Explicitly Promised That When He Chose Justices They Would Overturn Roe. According to the New York Times, “Yet in his third and final debate against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election, Mr. Trump laid out his belief that he would have two and as many as three Supreme Court seats to fill. And he explicitly promised, in a way other candidates never had, that when he chose jurists who shared his stated beliefs, Roe v. Wade would be overturned.” [New York Times, 6/24/22]
April 7, 2017: Trump Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch Was Confirmed, Reestablishing The Court’s 5-4 Conservative-Liberal Split. According to Time, “Newly-minted Justice Gorsuch brings the highest court in the land back to the 5-4 conservative-liberal split it had before Scalia passed away in February 2016. In many ways, he’s a natural heir to Scalia: Gorsuch’s core judicial philosophy and writing style are strikingly similar to the man he’s replacing. Both are originalists, who interpret the Constitution based on the intent of the founders, and textualists, who look at the words of the document rather than legislative history. And both are known for their colorful language and incisive opinions.” [Time, 4/7/17]
Gorsuch Was Expected To Follow His Predecessor Antonin Scalia’s Lead In Opposing Abortion On Supreme Court. According to the Guardian, “The nominee Trump announced on Tuesday night, federal appeals judge Neil Gorsuch, a record with little direct bearing on this topic. Nevertheless, organizations across the political spectrum readily agreed that Gorsuch represented an abortion foe in the mold of the justice he is slated to replace, the late Antonin Scalia […] Gorsuch’s judicial rulings offer scant evidence of how he might rule on abortion rights. Still, there are myriad hints. Abortion opponents note his doctoral dissertation on assisted suicide, in which he thunders against ‘the intentional taking of human life.’ Supporters of reproductive rights note that Gorsuch sided with an effort to defund Planned Parenthood and with companies opposed to providing their employees with contraceptive coverage in their healthcare plans.” [The Guardian, 2/1/17]
With The 2018 Confirmation Of Brett Kavanuagh To The Supreme Court, Trump Cemented His 5-4 Conservative Majority On The Bench After Kennedy’s Departure. According to Axios, “With the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018, President Trump cemented a solid conservative majority on the bench. Kavanaugh has the second-most conservative score (0.693) next to Justice Clarence Thomas (0.725), per a measure that score judges on a liberal-conservative spectrum. An analysis by political scientists Lee Epstein, Andrew D. Martin, and Kevin Quinn places judges on an ideological spectrum called the ‘Judicial Common Space.’ Conservative justices receive scores from 0 to 1, liberal justices from –1 to 0. Most liberal: Sonia Sotomayor (-0.521) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (-0.518) Elena Kagan (-0.302) Stephen Breyer (-0.280) John Roberts (0.089) Samuel Alito (0.317) Neil Gorsuch (0.486) Brett Kavanaugh (0.693) Clarence Thomas (0.725)” [Axios, 6/1/19]
During His Confirmation Hearing, Kavanaugh Refused To Say He Would Not Vote To Reverse Roe v. Wade. According to CNN, “During his first round of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Kavanaugh said he views Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, as ‘important precedent of the Supreme Court’ that has been ‘reaffirmed many times.’ Yet he declined to say he would not vote to reverse Roe, saying that such a vow -- on any case -- would violate judicial norms.” [CNN, 10/6/18]
During His Confirmation Hearing, Kavanaugh Defended A Dissent He Wrote Attempting To Block A Young Migrant From Obtaining An Abortion. According to CNN, “He also defended a dissenting opinion he wrote last year when the full DC Circuit allowed a 17-year-old to end her pregnancy over objections from the Trump administration. In his dissent, Kavanaugh wrote the Supreme Court has held that ‘the government has permissible interests in favoring fetal life, protecting the best interests of a minor, and refraining from facilitating abortion’ […] He said the majority opinion was ‘based on a constitutional principle as novel as it is wrong: a new right for unlawful immigrant minors in US government detention to obtain immediate abortion on demand.’” [CNN, 10/6/18]
Trump Nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett To The Supreme Court. According to NBC News, “President Donald Trump officially named Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee in a White House event Saturday afternoon, setting up a contentious nomination fight in the final few weeks before the presidential election.” [NBC News, 9/26/20]
October 26, 2020: Barrett Was Confirmed By The Senate And Sworn In To Fill Justice Ginsburg’s Seat. According to NPR, “The Senate has voted 52-48 to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, just about a week before Election Day and 30 days after she was nominated by President Trump to fill the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In a White House ceremony following the vote Monday evening, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the constitutional oath to Coney Barrett.” [NPR, 10/26/20]
Trump Consulted With Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser Before Barrett Nomination. According to Politico, “Trump did both this week. For the more moderate crowd, senior White House officials were insisting the president wouldn’t press Supreme Court candidates for their thoughts on Roe. But at the same time, Trump was catering to the anti-abortion crowd, speaking about potential nominees with Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, a top anti-abortion group. He also appeared virtually at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, promising to sign an executive order requiring medical care be given to infants who are born alive after failed abortion attempts.” [Politico, 9/25/20]
In 2006, Barrett Signed A Letter That Included A Call For The End Of Roe v. Wade. According to the Daily Beast, “Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett signed a letter in 2006 that included a call for the end of Roe v. Wade, denouncing the seminal court decision that provided a legal right to abortion as ‘barbaric.’ The letter came in the form of an advertisement from the anti-choice group St Joseph County Right to Life which was based in South Bend, Indiana.” [Daily Beast, 10/1/20]
Barrett Was The Top Choice For Anti-Abortion Groups. According to Politico, “Barrett is the top choice for anti-abortion groups. They argue she has the most established record on abortion among the potential picks and note the White House counsel already vetted her previously during the search that ultimately led to Kavanaugh’s nomination.” [Politico, 9/25/20]
Susan B. Anthony List President Weighed In On Supreme Court Nomination Decision Following Death Of Justice Ginsburg. According to CNN, “Inside the White House, the process is being overseen by chief of staff Mark Meadows -- who was spotted on Capitol Hill on Monday -- alongside White House counsel Pat Cipollone, senior adviser Jared Kushner and Vice President Mike Pence. But the range of voices reaching the President on the matter extends well beyond his core West Wing team. The president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List said Monday she had spoken to Trump about the decision.” [CNN, 9/21/20]
Barrett Called For Re-Hearing Of Case That Struck Down Pence’s 2016 Law To Prohibit Abortion On The Basis Of Race, Sex, Or Disability. According to Journal and Courier, “She [Barrett] also called for the re-hearing of a case that struck down ex-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's 2016 abortion law, which prohibited abortions if the fetus was disabled.” [Journal and Courier, 9/22/20]
Barrett Suggested She Thought Indiana Law That Barred Abortion On the Basis Or Race, Sex, Or Disability Of The Fetus Was Constitutional. According to the Pantagraph, “Her [Barrett’s] nearly three-year stint as a judge has included at least one abortion-related case. An 2018 ruling by a 7th Circuit panel declared unconstitutional an Indiana law requiring the burial of fetal remains after an abortion or miscarriage, and prohibiting clinics from treating the remains as waste. The law, signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence, also barred abortions on the basis on the race, sex or disabilities of the fetus. Barrett joined three conservative judges in asking for the ruling to be tossed and for the full court to rehear the case. They didn’t have the votes to force a rehearing. But they issued a joint dissent on the rehearing decision, clearly suggesting they thought the Indiana law was constitutional.” [Pantagraph, 9/22/20]
Pence Responded “That Dogma Lives Loudly In Me Too” In Response To Senator Feinstein’s Comments Towards Justice Barrett During Her 2017 Confirmation Hearing. According to the Ball State University Daily, “Pence responded to a criticism leveled against Barrett's faith by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein during Barrett's 2017 confirmation hearing in which Senator Feinstein told Barrett ‘the dogma lives loudly in you.’ ‘That dogma lives loudly in me too,’ Pence told the crowd to cheers. Pence called Trump ‘the most pro-life president in the history of this country’ during his remarks and warned against the nomination of liberal justices.” [Ball State University Daily, 10/26/20]
Barrett Confirmation Seen As Big Victory For Pence. According to the Indianapolis Star, “When President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attended a gathering of social and religious conservatives during the 2016 campaign for the White House, both tried to woo the voting bloc. But it was Pence, not Trump, who touted the administration's anti-abortion views, a critical issue for many evangelicals. ‘Let me assure you the Trump/Pence administration will stand for the sanctity of life and defend the unborn from the first day that we take office,’ he said when addressing the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit in September 2016. ‘I want to live to see the day that we put the sanctity of life back at the center of American law, and we send Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history.’ He might live to see that day. On Monday the U.S. Senate voted to confirm to the U.S. Supreme Court, giving Republican-nominated justices a 6-3 majority on the court. Indiana's anti-abortion and abortion rights communities think by shifting the court further to the right, Barrett could help chip away at certain abortion rights, even if it's not a complete reversal of Roe v. Wade.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/28/20]
June 24, 2022: The Supreme Court Overturned Roe v. Wade. According to the Washington Post, “The Supreme Court on Friday overturned the fundamental right to abortion established nearly 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade, a stunning reversal that could alter the nation’s political landscape and leaves states free to drastically reduce or even outlaw a procedure that abortion rights groups said is key to women’s equality and independence.” [Washington Post, 6/24/22]
Trump Administration And Senate Confirmed 234 Judges Including 3 Supreme Court Justices, 54 Circuit Court Judges. According to the American Constitution Society, “January 14, 2021 With less than a week until Inauguration Day, the current president’s second impeachment for the Senate to address, and news reports that the Senate is not going to come back in session until January 19, it’s highly unlikely this administration will be able to confirm any more judicial nominees. In total, this outgoing administration and the Republican-led Senate confirmed 234 Article III judges, including three new Supreme Court justices and 54 circuit court judges.” [American Constitution Society, 1/14/21]
Trump Appointed Over A Quarter Of The Federal Judiciary. According to a column by Max Boot for the Washington Post, “President Trump does not have many achievements to boast of — at least not honestly. One of the few is the number of federal judges he has appointed. The Senate has confirmed 227 judges chosen by Trump, including three Supreme Court justices. That’s more than a quarter of the entire federal judiciary, and because of their relative youth, Trump’s appointees will be shaping the law for decades to come.” [Washington Post Column, 12/2/20]
Trump Nominated Judges That Were Hostile To Abortion Rights. According to BuzzFeed News, “But the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene was the last in a series of legal dominos that had to fall for the Texas law, SB 8, to go into effect. How the fight unfolded before it reached the justices showed the lasting reverberations of a successful push by Trump, Senate Republicans, and the conservative legal movement to reshape the federal judiciary. Federal appeals judges confirmed to lifetime appointments since 2016 — including two members of the three-judge panel that teed up the SB 8 legal fight for the Supreme Court — have staked out anti-abortion stances and sided with states trying to restrict access to the procedure.” [BuzzFeed News, 9/12/21]
July 16, 2019: The Trump Administration Began Enforcing Abortion “Gag Rule.” According to Politico, “The Trump administration's decision to immediately bar family planning funds to groups, like Planned Parenthood, that perform or refer women for abortion could force some states and organizations to abandon the federal program that pays for contraception for low-income women. The administration said it will move forward with its new family planning overhaul, which critics deride as an abortion ‘gag rule,’ as it faces ongoing legal challenges from nearly two dozen states and organizations, including Planned Parenthood, the largest single recipient of funding in the program, known as Title X.” [Politico, 7/16/19]
Title X Was The Nation’s Public Family Planning Program That Provided Birth Control Services, STI Testing, And Treatment. According to the Guttmacher Institute, “Title X is the nation’s public family planning program, serving millions of patients who seek birth control services, STI testing and treatment, and related preventive care. The program was established as part of the Public Health Service Act in 1970 with the express intent of addressing inequities in access to contraceptives and related services, helping patients advance their right to exercise power over their own reproductive decisions. For half a century, Title X has funded a long-standing and trusted network of providers throughout the country, providing these critical services to patients who are low income, uninsured, young or otherwise underserved.” [Guttmacher, 2/5/20]
The Rule State That Title X Grant Funding Cannot Go To Clinicians That Discuss Abortion With Patients. According to Planned Parenthood Action, “The gag rule says Title X grants can’t go to clinicians who tell their patients how they can safely and legally access abortion (even if patients ask and even if a pregnancy threatens their health). The gag rule also takes grants away from health centers that separately provide abortion — like Planned Parenthood.” [Planned Parenthood Action, Accessed 3/19/20]
Clinics Were Barred From Referring Patients To An Abortion Provider But Required To Refer Them For Prenatal Care, Regardless Of A Patient’s Wishes. According to Politico, “Clinics will now be barred from referring patients to an abortion provider but required to refer them for prenatal care, regardless of a patient's wishes. Clinics have always been banned from using Title X money for abortions, but the Trump administration argued greater separation was needed to prevent the intermingling of funds. Now, numerous state health agencies administering Title X funds, including some that are their state's lone recipient of program dollars, must decide whether to go forward with previous suggestions that they'd withdraw from Title X if the Trump rules took effect. Millions of dollars are on the line.” [Politico, 7/16/19
However, Under The Rules Faith Based Groups That Oppose Abortion And Hormonal Birth Control Were Eligible For Federal Funding. According to Politico, “Faith-based groups that oppose abortion and hormonal birth control are also now eligible for funding under the rules. Earlier this year, the religiously affiliated clinic network Obria was awarded a three-year, $5.1 million grant in California. Although the group will only offer ‘natural’ family planning counseling such as abstinence and the rhythm method, it still must subcontract with clinics that provide other forms of contraception.” [Politico, 7/16/19]
Planned Parenthood, Which Served More Than 40% Of U.S. Title X Patients Chose To Reject Funding Due To Restrictions, Leaving Large Parts Of The Country Without A Federally Funded Family Planning Provider. According to Politico, “Planned Parenthood, which serves more than 40 percent of the nation's Title X patients, confirmed Monday night it won't comply with the new rules. The group said Its clinics will start using their own emergency funds while it continues to fight the administration in court. Planned Parenthood, which still gets significant funding from Medicaid, has long been the only Title X funding recipient in Utah, and it covers a large portion of the population in several other states. Its exit from the program could leave parts of the country without a federally funded family planning provider.” [Politico, 7/16/19]
Without Planned Parenthood Clinics Supported By Title X, Other Types Of Title X-Supported Sites Would Have Had to Increase Their Contraceptive Client Caseloads By 70 Percent. According to Guttmacher, “Without Planned Parenthood clinics supported by Title X, other types of Title X–supported sites would need to increase their contraceptive client caseloads by an average of 70%. This poses massive challenges for the rest of the safety-net family planning provider network.” [Guttmacher, 8/29/19]
Guttmacher Institute: Trump’s Domestic “Gag Rule” Slashed The Title X National Family Planning Network’s Patient Capacity In Half, Impacted 1.6 Million Female Patients Nationwide. According to Guttmacher, “New data from the Guttmacher Institute show that the Trump administration’s domestic “gag rule” has slashed the Title X national family planning network’s patient capacity in half, jeopardizing care for 1.6 million female patients nationwide […] Based on data available for 910 of those 981 sites, we estimate that these changes reduced the network’s capacity to provide women with contraceptive services by at least 46%, translating to roughly 1.6 million patients. In other words, the impact of the gag rule on the network’s capacity is much greater than it might appear when looking at clinic numbers alone, because the gag rule intentionally targeted clinics specializing in reproductive health care services, sites that also serve the highest volume of contraceptive patients.” [Guttmacher, 2/5/20]
January 23, 2017: President Trump Reinstated And Expanded The Global Gag Rule, Renaming It “Protecting Life In Global Health Assistance.” According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “On January 23, 2017, President Donald Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy via presidential memorandum, renaming it ‘Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance.’ This explainer provides an overview of the policy, including its history, changes over time, and current application.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 8/15/19]
The Global Gag Rule Required Foreign NGOs To Certify They Will Not “Perform Or Actively Promote Abortion As A Method Of Family Planning” In Order To Receive U.S. Government Global Family Planning Assistance. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “First announced in 1984 by the Reagan administration, the policy has been rescinded and reinstated by subsequent administrations along party lines and has now been in effect for 19 of the past 34 years. The policy requires foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to certify that they will not ‘perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning’ using funds with any source (including non-U.S. funds) as a condition for receiving U.S. government global family planning assistance and, as of Jan. 23, 2017, most other U.S. global health assistance.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 8/15/19]
The Global Gag Rule Included A Majority Of U.S. Bilateral Global Health Assistance, Marking A Significant Expansion Of Its Scope. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “The Trump administration’s application of the policy to the vast majority of U.S. bilateral global health assistance, including funding for HIV under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), maternal and child health, malaria, nutrition, and other programs, marks a significant expansion of its scope, potentially encompassing $7.4 billion in FY 2019, to the extent that such funding is ultimately provided to foreign NGOs, directly or indirectly (family planning assistance accounted for approximately $600 million of that total).” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 8/15/19]
The New Terms Of The Global Gag Rule Applied To $8.8. Billion In Foreign Aid. According to the Guardian, “The Trump administration on Monday significantly expanded a Reagan-era policy banning foreign aid to international healthcare providers who discuss abortion or advocate for abortion rights, in a move critics fear will jeopardize efforts to fight diseases such as malaria, HIV/Aids, and the Zika virus. The new terms of the ban will apply to $8.8bn in existing foreign aid provided by the state department, USAid, and the Department of Defense – dwarfing the $600m in programming that fell under the ban during previous administrations.” [The Guardian, 5/15/17]
Critics Argued That The Expanded Global Gag Rule Would Significantly Cut Aid To Groups Combatting Public Health Crises. According to the Guardian, “Critics feared the broader policy could significantly cut aid to groups combating the types of infectious diseases that have plagued poorer countries. ‘There is no indication that the Trump administration has conducted any assessment of the impact of the expanded global gag rule,’ said Serra Sippel, the president of the Center for Health and Gender Equity. ‘For example, how will this expansion impact prevention of the spread of HIV or Zika, especially given the role of contraceptives in prevention efforts?’” [The Guardian, 5/15/17]
Human Rights Watch: The Expanded 2017 Gag Rule Triggered Reductions In Sexual And Reproductive Health Services From Well-Established Organizations. According to Human Rights Watch, “Human Rights Watch found the policy has triggered reductions in key sexual and reproductive health services from well-established organizations that cannot easily be replaced. For example, Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK) runs 16 healthcare facilities in the country. FHOK representatives told us the organization will not comply with the restrictions and therefore will lose US funds, which make up roughly 60 percent of its budget, and that it may have to cut as many as half of its services. By July 2017, the organization had already closed one clinic and canceled 100 planned outreach events, including for cervical cancer screening, HIV testing, and family planning counseling, that typically reach 100 people each time. Another organization, Reproductive Healthcare Network Kenya has lost about two-thirds of its funding and has canceled many activities, including trainings on safe abortion care for doctors and other healthcare providers. Reproductive Health Uganda, which serves 1.2 million people a year, is ending large health programs previously paid for by the US government. [Human Rights Watch, 2/14/18]
The Global Gag Rule Expanded To Ban Aid To Foreign Groups That Support Other Foreign Groups That Promote Or Provide Abortions. According to NBC News, “The Trump administration is expanding a ban on U.S. aid to foreign groups that promote or provide abortions to include those who support others who do, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday. ‘We will enforce a strict prohibition on back-door funding schemes and end runs around our policy,’ Pompeo said. ‘American taxpayer dollars will not be used to underwrite abortions’ […] Pompeo said the ban will now extend to those foreign NGOs that provide financial support to other groups who provide abortion services or counseling.” [NBC News, 3/26/19]
Trump Implemented A Plan To Expand The Global Gag Rule On Abortion. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “The Administration’s more recent extension of the policy to include any financial support (health or otherwise) provided by foreign NGOs for any purpose to other foreign NGOs that perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning4 is likely to encompass significant additional funding.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 8/15/19]
Trump Administration Pushed To Expand Ban On Funding For Foreign Nonprofits That Perform Or Promote Abortions. According to CNN, “The Trump administration is pushing to expand its ban on funding for foreign nonprofits that perform or promote abortions, a move that critics say could further restrict health care access around the world. In a move that will please President Donald Trump's base, the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration published the proposed rule on Monday to extend the ‘Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance’ policy, which already encompasses global health grants and cooperative agreements, to apply to contracts. The rule already applies to the State Department, Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense and the US Agency for International Development. The proposed rule -- which now faces a 60-day comment period that ends after Election Day -- marks another appeal by the administration to abortion rights opponents in the run-up to the presidential election. In recent weeks, Trump has highlighted his anti-abortion stance in his judicial nominees, and Vice President Mike Pence has appeared with anti-abortion groups in several swing states.” [CNN, 9/14/20]
Planned Parenthood Said Proposed Gag Rule Expansion Would Impact Over 250 Contracts And As Much As 40% Of Global Health Assistance. According to a press release from Planned Parenthood, “Despite the fact that multiple studies found that the global gag rule disrupts access to critical health care around the world, and as COVID-19 continues to claim lives across the globe, today, the Trump administration published a proposed rule for public comment seeking to expand this devastating policy. The “Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance” proposed rule would broaden the global gag rule to apply to global health contracts, newly impacting over 250 contracts and as much as 40% of global health assistance.” [Planned Parenthood Press Release, 9/14/20]
Biden Revoked Global Gag Rule When He Came Into Office In 2021. According to the New York Times, “With executive orders issued Thursday, President Biden revoked Mr. Trump’s enforcement of the Mexico City Policy and Kemp-Kasten Amendment, restoring the aid and ending four years of what abortion rights advocates called one of the most concerted assaults on women’s reproductive health in the developing world.” [New York Times, 1/29/21]
January 2021: SCOTUS Reinstated Trump Administration Rule Requiring People Seeking Medication Abortions To Receive Drugs In Person. According to the Washington Post, “The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed with the Trump administration and reinstated requirements that women seeking medication abortions receive the drugs in person at a clinic, setting aside a judge’s ruling that protocol was dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic. The administration sought to reinstate rules by the Food and Drug Administration that women pick up the abortion pills at a medical facility — rather than receive them by mail or delivery — even though there is no requirement they take the medication in such a setting. Most take the pills that end a pregnancy in its early stages at home.” [Washington Post, 1/12/21]
The Trump-Pence Administration Asked The Supreme Court To Reinstate A Rule Mandating Abortion Seekers To Visit Health Care Providers In Person To Acquire One Of The Pills For Medication Abortions, After Lower Courts Blocked The Rule During The Coronavirus Pandemic. According to CNN, “The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate a rule requiring abortion seekers to visit health care providers in person to acquire one of the pills for medication abortions, after lower courts blocked the rule during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The escalated fight surrounding the pills -- which the Food and Drug Administration does not require to be taken while with the health care provider -- is the latest development in a pandemic-era clash over abortion access that has increasingly manifested as a battle of regulations.” [CNN, 8/26/20]
The FDA Did Not Specify Where The Drug, Mifepristone, Had To Be Taken. According to CNN, “Medication abortion, a nonsurgical procedure effective until about 10 weeks into a pregnancy, typically entails taking two drugs several days apart. The contested regulation concerns mifepristone, the first drug, which works to block the hormone progesterone necessary for a pregnancy to continue. The FDA information page on mifepristone states that the drug ‘may only be dispensed in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals by or under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider,’ but does not specify where the patient must take it. The second drug taken in a medication abortion, misoprostol, causes cramps and heavy bleeding as the uterus expels its contents. It can be taken ‘at a location appropriate for the patient,’ according to the FDA.” [CNN, 8/26/20]
The Trump-Pence Administration’s Challenge Came After Several Reproductive Health Groups Sued The FDA In May Over The Rule, Stating That It Was Unconstitutional For The Agency To Maintain The Rule For The Abortion Drug While Waiving It For Other Drugs In Light Of The Pandemic. According to CNN, “The Trump administration's challenge comes after several reproductive health groups, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, sued the FDA in May over the long-standing requirement, arguing that it was unconstitutional for the agency to maintain the rule for the abortion drug while lifting it for other drugs in light of the pandemic. ‘By making life-threatening viral exposure risks a condition of treatment for medication abortion and miscarriage care, the FDA's continued maintenance of the Mifepristone In-Person Dispensing Requirement jeopardizes the safety of patients, clinicians, and the public at large, with no countervailing benefit—and with particularly severe implications for low-income people and people of color, who comprise a disproportionate share of impacted patients and who are already suffering and dying from COVID-19 at substantially higher rates,’ the ACLU wrote at the time. A lower court sided with the groups and temporarily blocked the requirement in July, and a federal appeals court denied the administration's efforts to overturn the ruling earlier this month.” [CNN, 8/26/20]
December 2020: Trump-Pence Administration HHS Announced It Would Withhold $200 Million In Medicaid Funding To California For Q1 2021 Over California Requirement That All Insurance Plans Cover Abortion. According to CBS News, “The Trump administration will withhold $200 million in Medicaid funding from California in the first quarter of 2021 over the state's mandate that health insurance providers include coverage for elective abortion, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced on Wednesday. An additional $200 million in funding will be withheld for each quarter in which the state continues with that policy, said Azar, failing to recognize that the Trump administration ends on January 20. HHS' Office for Civil Rights had previously issued a violation notice to California over its requirement that all insurance plans cover elective abortions, and threatened to cut funding. The Trump administration maintains that California does not have the constitutional right to make such a requirement.” [CBS News, 12/17/20]
January 2020: HHS Threatened To Withhold Funding To California Over Its Mandate That Private Insurers Cover Abortion. According to Politico, “Since his January 2017 inauguration, Trump has worked to regulate and restrict abortion access using a series of rule changes that restrict the way taxpayer funds flow to foreign and domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions. Hours before his speech on Friday, officials at the Department of Health and Human Services threatened to withhold federal funding to California unless the state drops its mandate requiring private health insurers to cover abortion procedures.” [Politico, 1/24/20]
December 2019: HHS Announced A Rule To Force Private Insurers On ACA Markets To Send Patients A Separate Monthly Bill For The Portion Of Their Premium That Goes Toward Abortion. According to Politico, “While public insurance programs like Medicaid have long been barred from covering abortion services, Friday’s announcement also marks an escalation of the administration’s efforts to extend the prohibition to private coverage. In December, HHS unveiled a rule requiring private insurers on Obamacare markets to send patients separate monthly bills to separate the portion of the premium that goes toward abortion coverage. The added administrative burden could prompt some insurers to drop abortion care altogether.” [Politico, 1/24/20]
July 2020: Federal Judge Struck Down The Rule Thereby Permitting Insurers To Continue To Include Abortion Coverage As A Line Item On Monthly Bills. According to the Associated Press, “A federal judge in Baltimore on Friday struck down a Trump administration rule that abortion rights advocates called a maneuver to restrict access but officials defended as merely following the law. The decision by U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake affects women covered under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, not the majority with workplace insurance. The ruling hinged on the arcane question of whether a congressional requirement that insurers collect a “separate payment” for abortion coverage meant the companies also have to send their policyholders an additional, different bill, as the Trump administration wanted to require. The judge’s ruling means insurers can continue to make the charge for abortion coverage a line item on their monthly bill, or just give policyholders notice that it’s included.” [Associated Press, 7/10/20]
In Trump’s First Year, The Government Weakened The ACA Contraceptive Mandate By Allowing Employers To Deny Birth Control Via Religious Objection. According to the Center for Public Integrity, “In Trump’s first year in office, federal agencies weakened the ACA’s contraceptive mandate, allowing employers to deny birth control coverage if they had a religious or moral objection. Though the rollback was quickly tied up in the courts, dozens of employers signed separate settlements with the administration allowing them to refuse to cover birth control.” [Center for Public, Integrity, 9/24/20]
Over 70 Religious Employers Settled With The Trump-Pence Administration Allowing Them To Stop Covering Birth Control. According to the Center for Public Integrity, “But more than 70 religious employers signed a separate settlement agreement with the Trump administration allowing them to stop offering birth control coverage even before those suits were resolved. The University of Notre Dame, for example, ceased covering copper IUDs and emergency contraception for some 17,000 students, employees and their families beginning in July 2018 and began charging copays for other forms of contraception.” [Center for Public, Integrity, 9/24/20]
July 2020: The Supreme Court Held In Little Sisters v. Pennsylvania That The Trump-Pence Administration Could Grant Religious Exemptions To Birth Control Coverage Mandate. According to Vox, “The US Supreme Court issued its ruling in Little Sisters v. Pennsylvania Wednesday, holding the Affordable Care Act gives the Trump administration broad authority to grant exceptions to a federal regulation requiring employers to provide birth control coverage to their employees. On the surface, Justice Clarence Thomas’s majority opinion appears to be focused exclusively on birth control, and it also endorses a policy that could cease to exist in less than a year. The immediate upshot of Little Sisters is to let stand Trump administration rules allowing employers opposed to birth control to refuse to provide contraceptive coverage to their employees. If presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden becomes president next year, however, his administration could repeal the Trump administration’s policy and implement a new policy more favorable to contraception coverage.” [Vox, 7/8/20]
2019: The Trump-Pence Administration Finalized A “Refusal Of Care” Rule For Health Care Providers That Allowed Them To Refuse Care For Contraception Over Moral Or Religious Grounds. According to the Center for Public Integrity, “And the Title X rule was only one of many actions by the Trump administration that affected Americans’ contraceptive access. In May 2019, for example, the administration finalized a ‘refusal of care’ rule, allowing health care providers such as doctors or pharmacists to refuse to provide contraception to patients if they have a religious or moral objection. Such rules, also in place in some states, can mean patients have to travel to multiple pharmacies to find someone willing to fill a birth control prescription, making it less likely they will actually be able to obtain the medication.” [Center for Public, Integrity, 9/24/20]
“Refusal Of Care” Rule Was Blocked By A Federal Court In 2019. According to Reuters, “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2018 unveiled what it called the ‘conscience rule,’ but it never took effect due to litigation. States including California and New York and abortion providers filed suit to challenge it, leading a federal court to block the measure in 2019. The rule enabled the federal government to punish hospitals, clinics, universities and other healthcare providers that stopped healthcare workers from doing what their "conscience" dictated and refusing to carry out certain procedures. Trump's HHS said the rule fulfilled his "promise to promote and protect the fundamental and unalienable rights of conscience and religious liberty." Religious conservatives were a key constituency for Trump.” [Reuters, 4/19/22]
HHS Secretary Azar Announced The Department Of Justice Was Suing A Vermont Hospital That Allegedly Required A Catholic Nurse To Assist In An Abortion. According to CBS News, “Azar also announced the Justice Department is suing a Vermont hospital that the Trump administration says required a Catholic nurse to assist in an abortion procedure even though she had previously declared her objections to the procedure and other nurses were available.” [CBS News, 12/17/20]
Pence Visited And Promoted Crisis Pregnancy Centers
2020: PENCE BECAME FIRST SITTING VICE PRESIDENT TO VISIT A CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER
Pence Was First Sitting Vice President To Visit A Crisis Pregnancy Center. According to the Associated Press, “Earlier in the day, Pence toured A Woman’s Place Medical Clinic — a pregnancy center with an anti-abortion stance. According to the Susan B. Anthony List, a group opposed to abortion that hosted Pence on Wednesday, he is the first sitting vice president to visit a pregnancy center. George W. Bush visited one post-presidency, and Ronald Reagan praised pregnancy centers. Pence also attended an anti-abortion event at a church. About 50 people attended, with many dressed in blue ‘I VOTE PRO-LIFE’ T-shirts. He said that if Biden is elected, he would ‘undo all the progress’ the anti-abortion movement has made in the U.S. since the 1973 passage of Roe vs. Wade, which established abortion rights nationwide.” [Associated Press, 8/5/20]
Indiana State Department Of Health Contracted With Anti-Abortion Nonprofit Real Alternatives Under Pence’s Governorship. According to Indiana Public Media, “The Indiana State Department of Health is contracting with Pennsylvania-based anti-abortion nonprofit Real Alternatives, Gov. Mike Pence's office announced Monday. Real Alternatives provides ‘life-affirming pregnancy and parenting support’ and will partner with local service providers across the state to offer services such as free counseling and referral services. The one-year, $3.5 million contract is funded with money from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The state first contracted with Real Alternatives in October of last year for a pilot program Pence says was a success. The $1 million pilot program, which was also funded with federal TANF dollars, served 8,452 clients through nearly 17,000 visits, according to the governor's office.” [Indiana Public Media, 10/13/15]
Real Alternatives Operated A Site Called “Love Facts” That Included Misinformation That Abortion Correlates To Increase In Murder Rates. According to LoveFacts, “Legalization of Abortion Correlates to Significant Increase in Murder Rates.” [LoveFacts, accessed 1/25/23]
Real Alternatives Operated A Site Called “Love Facts” That Claimed Abortions Are Associated With A Risk Of Mental Health Problems. According to LoveFacts, “Abortions Associated With an Increased Risk of Mental Health Problems.” [LoveFacts, accessed 1/25/23]
Crisis Pregnancy Centers Often Provide Inaccurate Information That May Interfere With A Woman’s Access To Abortion And Contraceptive Services. According to the Guttmacher Institute, “The women who visit these centers to obtain free pregnancy tests or seek abortions are in need of accurate medical information and prompt medical attention. However, the centers often provide inaccurate information that may delay or interfere with women's access to abortion and contraceptive services, improperly influence women's reproductive health decisions and potentially increase the number of unintended births.” [Guttmacher Institute, 9/10/12]
American Medical Association: Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Legal But Unethical. According to the American Medical Association Journal Of Ethics, “Crisis pregnancy centers are organizations that seek to intercept women with unintended pregnancies who might be considering abortion. Their mission is to prevent abortions by persuading women that adoption or parenting is a better option. They strive to give the impression that they are clinical centers, offering legitimate medical services and advice, yet they are exempt from regulatory, licensure, and credentialing oversight that apply to health care facilities. Because the religious ideology of these centers’ owners and employees takes priority over the health and well-being of the women seeking care at these centers, women do not receive comprehensive, accurate, evidence-based clinical information about all available options. Although crisis pregnancy centers enjoy First Amendment rights protections, their propagation of misinformation should be regarded as an ethical violation that undermines women’s health.” [AMA Journal Of Ethics, 3/2018]
PENCE SPOKE AT NORTH CAROLINA PREGNANCY CENTER THAT PROMOTED ANTI-ABORTION DISINFORMATION ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Pence Spoke At Gateway Women’s Care Pregnancy Center That Promoted Misleading Information About Abortion And Breast Cancer. According to CNN, “Vice President Mike Pence returns to battleground North Carolina for another trip later this week focused on shoring up the Trump base. He is set to visit Gateway Women's Care, a pregnancy and sexual health center that opposes abortion rights, in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday, where he will participate in a roundtable discussion. Gateway promotes misleading information regarding abortion on its website, specifically the assertion that abortion can lead to breast cancer. The website says ‘medical experts continue to debate the association between abortion and breast cancer,’ and later adds, ‘A number of reliable studies have concluded that there is an association between abortion and later development of breast cancer.’ However, studies linking abortion to breast cancer were found to have flawed methodology ‘Scientific research studies have not found a cause-and-effect relationship between abortion and breast cancer,’ the American Cancer Society's website says.” [CNN, 9/1/20]
NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina Criticized Pence’s Visit To Gateway Because The Clinic Deceived Women From Accessing Abortion Services. According to NBC - 17 WNCN, “Before visiting the church, Pence stopped by Gateway Women's Care in downtown Raleigh, which provides free pregnancy and sexual health services. ‘Centers like Gateway, crisis pregnancy centers across the land, are putting hands and feet on our faith and driving victory for life,’ he said. NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina Foundation criticized Pence's visit to Gateway, saying the clinic deceives women from accessing abortion.” [NBC - 17 WNCN, 9/3/20]
Pence Headlined Sold OutDinner At Carolina Pregnancy Center. According to Fox News, “The executive director of the Carolina Pregnancy Center tells Fox News that ‘all the reserve seating is sold out and has been sold out for a couple of weeks and we’re still getting calls from people’ regarding a May 5 dinner on behalf of the facility that’s being headlined by former Vice President Mike Pence. Newman said that as of Friday, more than 1,600 tickets had been sold, with general admission seats still being sold. ‘We’ve never had one sell this fast. It’s amazing,’ said Newman, who for more than three decades has steered the Christian facility that provides counseling, supplies, and adoption services to women who decide to go through with unplanned pregnancies. The center, located in Spartanburg in South Carolina’s solidly red northwest corner, has become a must-stop for some GOP presidential hopefuls in recent election cycles, as they’ve flocked to the Palmetto State to showcase their pro-life credentials in front of the state’s social conservative Republican primary voters.” [Fox News, 4/3/22]
After The Carolina Pregnancy Center Speech, Pence Tweeted Will Not Stop Working Until Every Unborn Child Was Protected In The Law. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “We are here to declare with one voice, Roe Must Go! We will never stop working until every child, born and unborn, is protected in the law as a precious gift from God.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 5/5/22]
Pence Used Relationship With Trump To Elevate His Own Causes Like Opposition To Abortion. According to the Associated Press, “Never crossing Trump has helped the former Indiana governor and congressman survive while tethered to a president who sinks perceived enemies swiftly and publicly. Pence's formal nomination this week as Trump's running mate was a vindication after rumors flew that the president might dump him. ‘All my focus is getting this president reelected for four more years,’ Pence said in a Fox News Channel interview that aired Tuesday, one day before he is slated to address the convention. Critics say Pence is deferential to Trump more than any other vice president in history. But the relationship has enabled Pence to elevate causes he prioritizes, such as the anti-abortion movement and religious freedom. And his loyalty helps preserve his own viability as a presidential candidate in 2024.” [Associated Press, 8/26/20]
Pence Led Event In Celebration Of Trump’s “Pro-Life Accomplishments.” According to the Washington Times, “Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday led a White House celebration of President Trump's pro-life accomplishments, an event that acknowledged indirectly the president's election defeat even as the attendees expressed optimism about ending abortion in the U.S. Speaking to members of more than 20 pro-life advocacy groups, the vice president said Mr. Trump couldn't have forged a record as ‘the most pro-life president in American history’ without their help. ‘You've stood for life for the past four years, and I promise you, we will never stop fighting for the right to life,’ Mr. Pence said. ‘In the months and years ahead, we will see the sanctity of life restored to the center of American law in our time.’” [Washington Times, 12/17/20]
Pence Was Keynote Speaker At Palmetto Family Council Event. According to the Associated Press, “In his first public address since the end of the Trump administration, former Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to South Carolina, set to speak to a conservative Christian nonprofit in the state that plays a crucial role in the presidential nominating process. Next month, Pence will keynote a dinner hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, a Pence aide told The Associated Press on Sunday. The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of permission to discuss the plans publicly. The Palmetto Family lobbies for what it considers to be ‘biblical values,’ such as heterosexual marriage, and most recently helped push through a ban on most abortions in South Carolina.” [Associated Press, 3/8/21]
PENCE SPOKE AT STUDENTS FOR LIFE PRO-LIFE SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, DC
Pence Spoke At “Pro-Life Summit” Sponsored By Students For Life. According to the Catholic Standard, “The national Pro-Life Summit, sponsored by Students for Life, is also scheduled to take place Jan. 22 at Washington's Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event will feature former Vice President Mike Pence as its keynote speaker. Pence has been a frequent March for Life speaker, and in 2020 he introduced President Donald Trump at the event's rally.” [Catholic Standard, 1/6/22]
Pence Looked To Lean Into Abortion Issue Ahead Of 2024 Primaries. According to Yahoo News, “Whether the abortion issue propels Pence back to the White House or not, the former vice president has been addressing anti-abortion and Christian right groups in key early-voting states as part of the ‘pre-run’ for president that he and almost a dozen other potential Republican contenders have been doing for more than a year.” [Yahoo News, 5/6/22]
Pence Called Trump-Pence Administration “Most Pro-Life Administration In American History” In Rockingham GOP Speech. According to the Eagle Tribune, “Pence also highlighted another major success — the naming of three Supreme Court justices. ‘And I couldn’t be more proud than to be part of the most pro-life administration in American history,’ he said. As for the potential of overturning the longstanding Roe v. Wade abortion decision, Pence asked those in the room to ‘pray for our justices’ and hoped to ‘send Roe vs. Wade to the ash heap of history.’” [Eagle Tribune, 5/27/22]
Abortion Has Been Centerpiece Of Pence’s Political Life, Pence Looked To Appeal To Evangelical Christians Since End Of Trump-Pence Administration. According to the Associated Press, “The issue of abortion has long been a centerpiece of Pence’s political life, dating to his days in Congress and as governor of Indiana. He has spent the months since the end of the Trump administration trying to position himself as a conservative who can appeal both to his white Evangelical Christian base, as well as Trump supporters and those who may have been fond of Trump’s policies, but not his pugilistic style. As he mulls a possible presidential bid, Pence has built a post-White House operation that includes a political advocacy group, delivering speeches, fundraising and bolstering relationships that could help him, should he choose to run in 2024.” [Associated Press, 5/6/22]
South Carolina Seen As Significant To Potential Pence 2024 GOP Presidential Primary Victory With Large Contingent Of White Evangelical Christian Voters. According to the Associated Press, “South Carolina would be key to Pence should be seek the presidency in 2024, with its large contingent of white evangelical conservative voters. Last year, Pence chose South Carolina as the scene of his first public speech since leaving the Trump administration, addressing a fundraiser for a conservative Christian nonprofit.” [Associated Press, 5/6/22]
Pence Said Roe v. Wade Was Part Of Larger Fight Against Radical Left. According to The Center Square, “Indiana Republicans and Democrats reacted to the possibility of Roe v. Wade being struck down this summer by emphasizing views held by their opponents. Former Vice President Mike Pence also sees Roe v. Wade as part of a fight against extremism. He said, ‘As long as Roe v. Wade remains enforced, the Radical Left in this country will never stop pushing for more and more extreme abortion related policies.’” [The Center Square, 5/3/22]
Dannenfelser Included On Unpaid Advisory Board Of Pence’s New Group Advancing American Freedom. According to the Associated Press, “Former Vice-President Mike Pence launched a new advocacy group on Wednesday as he and other Trump officials look to boost their post-White House plans. Pence's Advancing American Freedom, which could serve as a springboard for his own presidential campaign, will aim to promote the Trump administration's achievements and work as a counterpoint to the Biden agenda. The new group is one of several launched in recent weeks by former aides of President Donald Trump. Shunned by corporate big money gigs, they are instead opening their own shops and embracing Trump's legacy as they seek to capitalize on his continued popularity with the Republican base. […] Pence's group includes an unpaid advisory board made up of conservative leaders including the anti-abortion rights advocate Marjorie Dannenfelser and Ed Meese, who was President Ronald Reagan's attorney general, as well as former Trump administration officials including former counsellor Kellyanne Conway, economic adviser Larry Kudlow and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. That makeup is a nod to Pence's broader effort to position himself as someone who can appeal to various parts of the party.” [Associated Press, 4/7/21]
Pence Partnered With Susan B. Anthony List To Promote Supreme Court Case With Potential To Overturn Roe. According to the Associated Press, “Oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday represent the best opportunity leaders on the right have had in decades to gut the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which codified a woman's constitutional right to an abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb. If they are successful, it could validate years of often painstakingly granular work that ultimately remade the Republican Party from an alliance of business-friendly leaders into a coalition of cultural conservatives and evangelicals who turned the issue of abortion into a national flashpoint. Even if the justices don’t explicitly overturn Roe, they could open the door to a flurry of new restrictions that would please the right. Buoyed by a court that is now dominated by a 6-3 conservative majority, some leading Republicans were already expressing confidence on Tuesday. ‘We are asking the court in no uncertain terms to make history,’ former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been laying the groundwork for a presidential run in 2024, said during a speech in Washington. ‘We are asking the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v. Wade and restore the sanctity of life at the center of American law.’ […] Tomorrow the Supreme Court will hear the biggest case for the pro-life movement in two generations,’ said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group which sponsored Pence’s speech and plans to spend $10 million on TV and digital ads in Washington, D.C., and battleground states to promote the case.” [Associated Press, 11/30/21]
Pence Spoke On Supreme Court Abortion Case With Susan B. Anthony List. According to The Hill, “On Tuesday, former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been viewed as a potential 2024 presidential hopeful, delivered remarks on the case with the Susan B. Anthony List, a prominent anti-abortion group. ‘I did not come here today to speak about popular opinion or jurisprudence,’ Pence said. ‘I came here to speak about right and wrong, to say life is a human right and urge the Supreme Court of the United States to choose life.’ The Susan B. Anthony List launched a $10 million ad campaign to push their messaging on the case and has canvassing operations on the ground in states like Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.” [The Hill, 12/1/21]
Pence Aligned Himself With Susan B. Anthony List To Push For More Restrictions On Abortion And To Overturn Roe v. Wade. According to The Hill, “Prominent Republican politicians, including Pence, have aligned themselves with anti-abortion groups like the Susan B. Anthony List to push for more restrictions on the procedure and to overturn Roe. v. Wade.” [The Hill, 12/1/21]
In A Daily Caller Op-Ed With President Of Susan B. Anthony List, Pence Said GOP Should Merge Traditional Conservative Values With Successes of Trump-Pence Administration, Touted “Freedom Agenda.” According to the Daily Caller Op-Ed, “Since the Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973, more than 62 million unborn children in the United States have been aborted. In other words, nearly 20% of the U.S. population is gone — lives of incalculable promise were ended before they were born. […] Today, the Biden administration is continuing to advance abortion on demand at home, allowing foreign aid to be used for abortion overseas, and President Joe Biden has even announced his support for taxpayer funding of abortion. […] The Freedom Agenda encourages conservatives to embrace policies that will honor the God-given dignity of all people and restore the sanctity of human life to the center of American law. […] Merging traditional conservative values with the successes of the Trump-Pence administration is a proven formula that will lead to extraordinary growth for our nation.” [Daily Caller Op-Ed, Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, 4/7/22]
Pence Spoke At Church As Part Of Susan B. Anthony List “Life Wins” Tour. According to NBC - 17 WNCN, “Vice President Mike Pence stopped by a Raleigh women's clinic and a church Thursday to rally pro-life supporters ahead of the November election. Pence participated in a discussion at Raleigh's Christ Baptist Church as part of the Susan B. Anthony List ‘Life Wins’ tour, calling President Donald Trump ‘the most pro-life president in the history of the United States.’ ‘I truly do believe that the principle that every life is sacred at the center of the American experiment,’ Pence said. The event was hosted by SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. Dannenfelser, a North Carolina native, said the stop was the second on the nation wide tour of battle ground states to highlight the Trump administrations pro-life policies.” [NBC - 17 WNCN, 9/3/20]
Pence Went On Book Tour For Marjorie Dannenfelser, Pence Wrote Introduction To Her New Book. According to CNN, “Pence's appearance at the clinic and the church was part of a book tour for Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List and national co-chair of the Trump Campaign's Pro-life Voices for Trump coalition. Pence, who wrote an introduction to her new book, participated in another such event with Dannenfelser in Tampa last month, and is slated to appear at another in Pennsylvania next week. On Thursday, the group unveiled a six-figure newspaper ad buy in Pennsylvania to run before Pence's visit, and the group's super PAC, Women Speak Out PAC, announced a North Carolina ad buy last month as part of a $52 million 2020 budget for battleground states.” [CNN, 9/3/20]
Pence Spoke At Pennsylvania Event With Dannenfelser On Campaign Trail. According to a press release from Congressman John Joyce, “Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) today welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to Westmoreland County for a discussion with national and local pro-life leaders hosted by the Susan B. Anthony List. ‘As a doctor who took an oath to defend the sanctity of human life, I am proud to stand up alongside Vice President Pence to protect innocent children. Western Pennsylvania is home to incredible pro-life advocates who work tirelessly to advocate for the unborn, support families, and offer hope to our community,’ said Dr. Joyce. ‘Today Vice President Pence witnessed our region's dedication to pro-life values - in words and deeds. It is my honor to work alongside President Donald Trump, Vice President Pence, and our local leaders to serve as a voice for the voiceless.’ Vice President Pence and Dr. Joyce were joined by a number of pro-life leaders at today's event, including Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser and Pennsylvania Family Policy Council President Michael Geer.” [Congressman John Joyce Press Release, 9/11/20]
Pence Contributed $500K To Existing Multimillion-Dollar Anti-Abortion Ad Campaign With Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. According to Axios, “Former Vice President Mike Pence is expanding his involvement in the anti-abortion movement’s work ahead of the 2022 midterms, contributing $500,000 to an existing multimillion-dollar ad campaign run by the largest national anti-abortion group, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.” [Axios, 6/30/22]
Pence Attended Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Event To Celebrate End Of Roe. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “Honored to be with @marjoriesba & @sbaprolife tonight! Because you never gave up, never stopped loving, never stopped praying, on June 24th Life Won when the Supreme Court sent Roe v Wade to the ash heap of history and gave the American people a new beginning for Life!” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 9/13/22]
Pence Said End Of Roe Was Only “End Of The Beginning” And That It Was Important To “Not Grow Weary In The Cause Of Life.” According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “But we have only come to the end of the beginning. So, let us resolve here and now that we will stay the course, we will not shrink from the fight, that we will not grow weary in the cause of Life.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 9/13/22]
Pence Said “If We Do Not Give Up” That “The Day Will Come That We Restore the Sanctity Of Life To The Center Of American Law In Every State.” According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “And as we work and pray and love and elect, if we do not give up, I know the day will come that we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in our Nation. So Help Us God.🇺🇸 .” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 9/13/22]
Pence Said He Welcomed All Efforts To Advance The Cause Of Life When Asked About Legislation To Institute Federal Abortion Ban. According to Real Clear Politics, “‘I welcome any and all efforts to advance the cause of life in state capitals or in the nation’s capital,’ Pence told RCP when asked about legislation to institute a federal abortion ban. ‘And I have every confidence that the next Republican president, whoever that may be, will stand for the right to life.’” [Real Clear Politics, 9/14/22]
Pence Said Pro-Abortion Activists Were Unrelentingly Trying To Silence And Scare Pro-Life Americans After Dobbs Decision. According to a Fox News op-ed from Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, “Since entering the new Dobbs era, post Roe v. Wade, pro-abortion activists have unrelentingly attempted to silence and scare pro-life Americans, directing their violent rage at pro-life organizations that assist mothers and families with unplanned pregnancies, churches, and even direct attacks on individuals. Meanwhile, pro-abortion legislators have touted barbaric policies – including abortion up until birth – while gaslighting many into thinking these proposals are mainstream. These attacks should only motivate pro-lifers to trust their convictions and continue fighting for life.” [Fox News Opinion- Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, 10/13/22]
Pence Expressed Support For Senator Graham’s “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children From Late-Term Abortions Act” In A Fox News Op-Ed. According to a Fox News op-ed from Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, “Thankfully, pro-life leaders are already boldly standing up for the unborn. Just recently, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC, introduced the ’Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act,’ which would protect unborn babies from abortions after 15 weeks, a point by which science shows they can feel the excruciating pain of abortion. The bill is just one step toward modernizing our nation’s laws as we advance our mission to ensure every unborn life is protected under the law.” [Fox News Opinion- Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, 10/13/22]
In A Fox News Op-Ed, Pence And Dannenfelser Said “We Must Continue Advocating For The Unborn More Boldly Than Ever.” According to a Fox News op-ed from Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, “We’ve both spent the bulk of our lives fighting to protect the defenseless and urge our fellow pro-life Americans to thank God for the victory in Dobbs and recognize that now is not the time to slow down. We must continue advocating for the unborn more boldly than ever.” [Fox News Opinion- Mike Pence And Marjorie Dannenfelser, 10/13/22]
Pence Said Candidates Talking About Life In “Principled And Compassionate” Terms Would Win. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “I see great enthusiasm around the country for this new beginning of life and the candidates that are talking about life in terms that are principled and compassionate are going to prevail and move the cause forward.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 10/13/22]
Dannenfelser Said She Though Pence’s Unwavering Opinions On Abortion Would Appeal To Conservative Voters Broadly. According to the Indianapolis Star, “Marjorie Jones Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, thinks his unwavering principles on that issue will appeal to conservative voters broadly, and that not all voters fit into neat labels. ‘The pro-life issue is arguably the issue with the most intensity right now,’ she said. ‘Someone who can lead with that and be a visionary, and inspire people to follow a national pro-life leader, will really put themselves in a good position. Certainly Mike Pence is capable of that, more than capable. He’s spent a lifetime building towards that.’” [Indianapolis Star, 5/24/23]
Pence Said He Fully Supported Fertility Treatments And Thought They Deserved The Protection Of The Law In “Face The Nation” Interview. According to CBS News, “As Republican-led states impose restrictions on abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade, raising concerns about how the limits will impact access to reproductive medicine, former Vice President Mike Pence said he believes there should be legal protections for fertility treatments. ‘I fully support fertility treatments and I think they deserve the protection of the law,’ Pence said in an interview with ‘Face the Nation’ that aired Sunday. ‘They gave us great comfort in those long and challenging years that we struggled with infertility in our marriage.’” [CBS News, 11/20/22]
Pence Said He And His Wife Struggled With Infertility For More Than Five Years. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “.@KarenPence and I struggled for more than 5 years with unexplained infertility & I’ll never forget the day I called home, driving off to a work appointment, and Karen answered the phone and said ‘Happy Father’s Day.’” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 11/20/22]
Senator Murray Said She Urged Pence To Push Members Of The Republican Party On Legislation To Protect Right To IVF And Fertility Treatments After Pence Said Last Month He Supported Fertility Treatments. According to CBS, “Murray told CBS News they are courting Republican votes, and urged former Vice President Mike Pence to push members of his party on the issue. In an interview with CBS News' Margaret Brennan last month, Pence said, ‘I fully support fertility treatments and I think they deserve the protection of the law,’ Pence, a staunch opponent of abortion, revealed his wife underwent IVF. ‘They gave us great comfort in those long and challenging years that we struggled with infertility in our marriage.’” [CBS News, 12/15/22]
Pence Supported Susan B. Anthony Statement That Federal Races Can Be Won With “Ambitious Consensus Pro-Life Position.” According to the National Review, “Former vice president Mike Pence responded to Donald Trump’s comments blaming pro-lifers for the GOP’s lackluster midterm performance on Monday by endorsing a statement released by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. ‘The approach to winning on abortion in federal races, proven for a decade is this: state clearly the ambitious consensus pro-life position and contrast that with the extreme view of Democrat opponents. We look forward to hearing that position fully articulated by Mr. Trump and all presidential candidates,’ the organization said in a statement released Monday. The remarks drew Pence’s approval on Twitter Monday night.” [National Review, 1/3/22]
Pence Said End Of Roe Was “The End Of The Beginning” For “Pro-Life” Cause. According to an op-ed in the Washington Times from Mike Pence, “For more than 40 years, the pro-life cause has been the glue that binds together all factions of the modern conservative coalition. Now, a new era in American history is beginning in which all human beings, born and unborn, can once again be cherished in life and protected by law. But the battle for life is far from over. We have only reached the end of the beginning.” [Washington Times Opinion, Mike Pence, 1/19/23]
Pence Encouraged Conservatives In Congress To End Taxpayer Funding Of Abortion, Reinstate Ban On Funding For Planned Parenthood, Ban Funding For Abortions Overseas, And Pass Fetal Heartbeat And Pain-Capable Legislation. According to an op-ed in the Washington Times from Mike Pence, “In the weeks ahead, I encourage conservatives in Congress to also work to end federal taxpayer funding of abortion once and for all and to reinstate the ban on funding for Planned Parenthood implemented under the Trump-Pence administration. To prevent liberal politicians from erasing our progress, conservatives should pass a law permanently banning funding for abortions overseas. Here at home, we should adopt strong gestational limits that outlaw abortion once a heartbeat is detected or an unborn child is capable of feeling pain.” [Washington Times Opinion, Mike Pence, 1/19/23]
Pence Encouraged Conservatives To End All Federal Funding Of Fetal Tissue Research. According to an op-ed in the Washington Times from Mike Pence, “Second, conservatives should work to end all federal funding of destructive fetal tissue research, which treats the bodies of aborted unborn children like a commodity. Instead, we should support ethical, non-destructive research using adult stem cells.” [Washington Times Opinion, Mike Pence, 1/19/23]
Pence Encouraged Conservatives To Be “Pro-Adoption” And Promote Adoption, Foster Care, And Crisis Pregnancy Centers. According to an op-ed in the Washington Times from Mike Pence, “Finally, conservatives must remember that to be truly pro-life, we must also be pro-adoption. That’s why we must end the assault on faith-based adoption and foster care agencies that exclusively place children into families with one male father and one female mother. Conservatives should also work with state and local governments, churches, and nonprofit organizations to promote adoption, foster care and crisis pregnancy centers.” [Washington Times Opinion, Mike Pence, 1/19/23]
Pence Said He Strongly Disagreed With Trump’s Claim That A Pro-Life Message Was Damaging To GOP In 2022 Midterms. According to the Daily Signal, “Former Vice President Mike Pence took a hard stance against former President Donald Trump’s claim that pro-life voters cost the GOP the 2022 midterm elections. ‘I strongly disagree,’ he said of Trump’s remarks in a Thursday interview with The Daily Signal, ‘and I believe that the facts speak for themselves.’ The former vice president argued (in line with messaging from top pro-life groups) that Republican candidates who articulated a ‘clear, unambiguous commitment to life did very well in the midterm elections compared to Republican candidates who ‘shied away from the issue or who allowed Democrats to define their position.’ ‘That, to me, was the lesson in 2022,’ Pence said. He added of Trump, ‘The president is entitled to his opinion, but I think the facts speak otherwise.’” [Daily Signal, 1/19/23]
Pence Rejected Idea That Republicans Suffered In Midterms Because Of Abortion, Instead Blamed Candidates Who Focused On Relitigating 2020 Election. According to POLITICO, “Pence flatly rejected the conventional wisdom in Washington that Republicans suffered in the midterms because of Dobbs blowback. Those who lost, he said, had a ‘common denominator’ that ‘has not to do with the issue of abortion.’ ‘Rather, where candidates were focused on the past — focused on relitigating the past — we did not fare well,’ Pence said, a veiled reference to Republicans parroting the false and unsubstantiated claim that Trump won the 2020 election.” [POLITICO, 6/23/23]
Pence Said Trump And Others In The Race Were Retreating From “The Cause Of The Unborn.” According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “After leading the most Pro-Life administration in American history, Donald Trump and others in this race are retreating from the cause of the unborn.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 6/10/23]
Pence Said Trump Treats Abortion Politics As An Inconvenience And Said Trump Blamed Election Losses In 2022 On The Overturning Of Roe. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “The sanctity of life has been our party’s calling for half a century—long before Donald Trump was ever a part of it. Now he treats it as an inconvenience, even blaming elections losses in 2022 on overturning Roe v. Wade.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 6/10/23]
Pence Criticized His “Former Running Mate And Other Candidates” For Backing Away From Anti-Abortion Commitments. According to Politico, “In our conversation, Pence brought up Trump several times unprompted — though never by name — arguing that Trump’s suggestion that the Dobbs ruling undercut the GOP in 2022 was ‘wrong,’ and hitting back at Trump for criticizing DeSantis’s six-week ban as ‘too harsh.’ ‘In my announcement speech, I articulated my concern that my former running mate and other candidates in the field are backing away from an unwavering commitment to the right to life,’ he said. ‘It’s not consistent with the kind of principled leadership that I believe Republicans are looking for in the cause of life.’” [Politico, 6/23/23]
Pence Rejected The Notion That Dobbs Blowback Cost Republicans In The 2022 Midterms, Rather Making A Veiled Reference To Trump And “Relitigating The Past” On 2020 Election. According to Politico, “Pence flatly rejected the conventional wisdom in Washington that Republicans suffered in the midterms because of Dobbs blowback. Those who lost, he said, had a ‘common denominator’ that ‘has not to do with the issue of abortion.’ ‘Rather, where candidates were focused on the past — focused on relitigating the past — we did not fare well,’ Pence said, a veiled reference to Republicans parroting the false and unsubstantiated claim that Trump won the 2020 election.” [Politico, 6/23/23]
Pence Pointed To Ohio Gov. DeWine And Georgia Gov. Kemp As Candidates Who Embraced Anti-Abortion Policies And Won In 2022. According to Politico, “Pence flatly rejected the conventional wisdom in Washington that Republicans suffered in the midterms because of Dobbs blowback. […] On the flipside, Pence pointed to examples such as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who signed a six-week abortion ban but still won reelection by more than 20 points, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who did the same and still defeated Stacey Abrams — whom Pence called ‘the most formidable Democratic candidate in the country’ — by seven points. ‘In one race after another, men and women who stood without apology for the right to life — but expressed that with compassion and principles — fared well, and I believe that will be proven out in 2024 as well,’ Pence said.” [Politico, 6/23/23]
Pence Said He Was “#ProLife” And Wouldn’t Apologize For It. According to a tweet from Mike Pence ,” I’m #ProLife and I don’t apologize for it🇺🇸” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 1/20/23]
Pence Hosted Event At Advancing American Freedom Offices In Washington, DC Ahead Of March For Life. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “Great welcoming so many #ProLife patriots to the @AmericanFreedom Headquarters in DC today before the @March_for_Life! With your help, we will continue to push forward to save the precious lives of unborn and return the sanctity of life to the center of American law!🇺🇸” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 1/20/23]
Pence Said “Life Won Again Today” After Judge In Texas Ruled To Stay FDA Approval Of Mifepristone. According to Advancing American Freedom, “Today, Advancing American Freedom Founder Vice President Pence issued the following statement after a judge in Texas ruled to stay the FDA’s approval of the dangerous chemical abortion drug, mifepristone. ‘Life won again today. When it approved chemical abortions on demand, the FDA acted carelessly and with blatant disregard for human life and the wellbeing of American women, and today’s ruling fixed a 20 year wrong,’ said Advancing American Freedom founder Vice President Mike Pence. ‘Advancing American Freedom will always fight for the sanctity of life and defend the unborn and women in crisis pregnancies.’” [Advancing American Freedom, 4/10/23]
Pence Commended DeSantis For Signing Six-Week Abortion Ban Into Law. According to POLITICO, “Former Vice President Mike Pence commended Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday for signing the state’s six-week abortion ban into law Thursday night. ‘I want to commend Florida and their governor for moving the heartbeat bill,’ Pence said on Fox and Friends. ‘I’m pro-life; I don’t apologize for it.’” [POLITICO, 4/14/23]
Pence Called Six-Week Abortion Ban In Florida “Progress.” According to POLITICO, “‘The progress in Florida and the progress in nearly 20 other states is part of a new beginning for life,’ Pence said. ‘I’m going to continue to be a voice for advancing the cause of the unborn on principle and compassion.’” [POLITICO, 4/14/23]
Pence Said Ending Abortion Was “More Important Than Politics.” According to The Hill, “Former Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that ending abortion is ‘more important than politics,’ which is his latest anti-abortion remarks made as the legal fight for abortion is ongoing. ‘Well, I think defending the unborn first and foremost is more important than politics. I really believe it’s the calling of our time,’ Pence said on NewsNation’s debut episode of ‘The Hill’ Monday. ‘As I said in the immediate aftermath of the Dobbs decision, it may take as long to restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in this country as it took us to overturn Roe vs. Wade, but I believe that restoring the inalienable right to life to American law is that important,’ he continued.” [The Hill, 4/24/23]
PENCE DISAGREED WITH TRUMP’S COMMENTS THAT ABORTION IS AN ISSUE ON THE STATE LEVEL
Pence Said He Disagreed With Trump, Who Said Banning Abortion Was An Issue For Just The States. According to Fox News, “Pence, speaking with reporters, took issue with his former running mate on abortion. The former vice president, answering a question from Fox News, noted his differences with Trump on the issue, saying that last year’s Supreme Court ruling ‘did not mean that it’s a state’s only issue. All it meant was that states now have the ability to craft legislation that protects the unborn.’” [Fox News, 4/23/23]
Pence On A Federal Abortion Ban: “I’ll Support Any Effort To Support The Sanctity Of Life To The Center Of American Law.” According to Fox News, “‘I also hold to the view that Americans want to see leaders at both ends of Pennsylvania Ave. who will stand for the sanctity of life,’ Pence emphasized. ‘We’ve got an incredible and historic opportunity to advance the cause of life.’ And he reiterated his backing of a federal abortion ban, saying, ‘I’ll support any effort to support the sanctity of life to the center of American law.’” [Fox News, 4/23/23]
PENCE URGED CHRISTIANS AND CONSERVATIVES TO FIGHT EFFORTS TO EXPAND ABORTION ACCESS THROUGH A BALLOT MEASURE IN OHIO
Pence Urged Christians And Conservatives To Fight Efforts To Expand Abortion In Ohio In Speech To Center For Christian Virtue. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, “Pence used his 20-minute speech to wax poetic on religion, take a victory lap over the United States Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade and the constitutional protections on abortion, and urge Christians and conservatives to fight efforts to expand abortion in Ohio and elsewhere.” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/9/23]
Pence Focused On A Petition By Abortion Rights Supporters To Put An Amendment On The November Ballot To Secure Abortion Access In Ohio. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, “Pence focused a large portion of his speech on the petition by abortion rights supporters to put an amendment on the November ballot protecting abortion access in Ohio. Pence repeated claims about the amendment that many amendment supporters and legal experts have said are not true. Pence claimed the amendment would allow sex change operations for minors without consent and end parental consent and notification of abortions for minors. The language does not expressly mention ‘parental consent’ or medical treatments for transgender minors. Legal experts interviewed by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau have said it is highly unlikely the amendment would outlaw parental consent.” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/9/23]
Pence Said “Out-Of-State” Organizations Like The ACLU Were Trying To Rewrite The State Constitution In Ohio To Protect Abortion. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “In Ohio, out-of-state organizations like the ACLU are trying to rewrite the state constitution so that Ohio has one of the most extreme abortion laws in the entire country.” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 5/9/23]
Pence Praised Gov. DeWine’s Six-Week Abortion Ban In Ohio. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, “Pence praised Gov. Mike DeWine and the heartbeat bill he signed into law that made abortion illegal in Ohio once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks. A Hamilton County judge blocked that law, temporarily restoring access to abortion up to 22 weeks into pregnancy. Currently, abortion in Ohio is banned after 22 weeks. ‘How great is Gov. Mike DeWine?’ Pence said to a smattering of applause. DeWine had angered some conservatives with mask mandates and COVID restrictions during the pandemic. ‘I was for Mike DeWine before it was cool.’” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/9/23]
Pence Said It Was Important To “End The Culture Of Death” In Post-Roe America. According to a tweet from Mike Pence, “In this rapidly changing post-Roe America, our job remains the same: to do all we can to end the culture of death, to restore a culture of life, and to return the sanctity of life to the center of American law. That’s why the work of @ProtectWomenOH is so important!” [Twitter, @Mike_Pence, 5/9/23]
Pence Said Trump Was “Backing Away” From His Commitment On Abortion. According to The Hill, “Former Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News that former President Trump is ‘backing away’ from his commitment after Trump is pushing back on a five-week abortion ban. ‘I have to tell you that, you know, the president and I have had our differences. Two and a half years ago, we had a clash,’ Pence said Thursday. ‘But since then, I see the President walking away from the commitment to the right to life, I see him walking away from fiscal responsibility, I see him walking away from American leadership in the world.’” [The Hill, 9/21/23]
Pence Blasted Trump For His Criticism Of An Anti-Abortion Law Signed By A Rival. According to The Hill, “‘To have the former president say that a heartbeat bill in Florida, or for that matter, the same bill that was passed in Georgia and Ohio and Iowa was, quote, a terrible mistake, I think it … just suggests to you that he is backing away from that cause,’ Pence said.” [The Hill, 9/21/23]
Pence Said He Would Move For “As Strong” Anti-Abortion Legislation “As We Can” If Elected President And Advocated For A 15-Week Minimum Ban. According to The Hill, “Pence said he has been a champion of the anti-abortion cause since his days as a governor and congressman. If he were president, he said he would fight for ‘as strong protections as we can.’ The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision held that the Constitution does not grant the right to an abortion, returning power to individual states. Pence said he believes the decision should still be up to the states, but wants a minimum national standard of 15 weeks for liberal-leanings states like ‘California, Illinois or here in New York.’ ‘To me, it’s a minimum standard; I want to go farther than that. I support legislation that goes farther than that,’ Pence said.” [The Hill, 9/21/23]
Pence Said Abortion Should Be Banned Nationwide After The Dobbs Decision. According to the Washington Post, “In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, former vice president Mike Pence says abortion should be banned nationwide and is planning behind the scenes to focus on the issue in the coming weeks, according to advisers. Former president Donald Trump, in contrast, fears the ruling could hurt the GOP’s election chances, his advisers said, even as he hailed the ruling as ‘victory for life’ at a Saturday rally. Pence has gone in the other direction — writing on Twitter last week that ‘we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land.’ Advisers to Pence said his firm position on abortion could help in conservative states such as South Carolina, and one said his team has been surprised that more candidates have not taken his stance.” [Washington Post, 6/27/22]
Pence Defended Sen. Graham’s Proposed National 15-Week Abortion Ban. According to POLITICO, “Former VP MIKE PENCE defended Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM’s (R-S.C.) new proposed national 15-week abortion ban and other efforts to end abortion at any level of government in an interview with RealClearPolitics’ Philip Wegmann. The real-world impact of such restrictions, he said, ‘is profoundly more important than any short-term politics.’ And for what it’s worth, Pence doesn’t agree with some of the conventional wisdom that moves like Graham’s could hurt Republicans: ‘I’m convinced,’ he said, ‘that enthusiasm among pro-life Americans in states across the country is equal to, or greater than, any new motivation by people that support abortion rights.’” [POLITICO, 9/14/22]
Pence Said That He Would Support “The Minimum Of A 15-Week Ban.” According to the Associated Press, “‘I’ll certainly support efforts to create a threshold of support for the unborn even at the national level,’ Pence said, adding he would support ‘the minimum of a 15-week ban.’” [Associated Press, 4/22/23]
Pence Has Called 15-Week Federal Abortion Ban A “Good Start Point.” According to POLITICO, “Pence has called a federal 15-week national abortion ban a ‘a good starting point,’ noting that many European countries have 12- to 15-week limits and arguing that ‘right now, our law at the national level is essentially equivalent to China and Iran and North Korea.’ But Pence said he also backs states going further with the six-week limit.” [POLITICO, 6/23/23]
Pence Said He Believed More Than 70% Of Americans Would Support A 15-Week Abortion Limit. According to Newsmax, “Pence vowed to support ‘the strongest protections for the unborn that we can pass in states across the country.’ ‘I do believe more than 70% of Americans would support a minimum national standard of 15 weeks, which is roughly when an unborn child can experience pain,’ Pence said, adding that the U.S. should be more aligned with most other Western countries. ‘American law on this issue at the federal level is more aligned with the laws of Iran and China and North Korea, who support abortion on demand throughout pregnancy,’ Pence said. ‘I really believe the combination here of American leadership that's built on compassion and principle is the pathway forward. And I think we can rally the country to restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law. ‘And if I'm president, I will.’” [Newsmax, 10/17/23]
Pence Called On Every Republican Presidential Candidate To Support A National 15-Week Abortion Ban. According to Courthouse News Service, “Every one of the Republican Party’s presidential hopefuls spoke, or was scheduled to speak, at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference — a two-day event that saw candidates jockeying for approval from a crowd of evangelicals gathered in the Washington Hilton Friday morning. The annual meeting is one of the first opportunities for the field of would-be nominees to roll out their platforms. […] Perhaps the most central policy issue for the voting bloc was abortion, which dominated both the candidates’ remarks and the proceeding panel discussions. Pence, leading the charge, demanded that every Republican running for president publicly support a 15-week ban on abortions, should they be elected.” [Courthouse News Service, 6/23/23]
Pence: “Every Republican Candidate For President Should Support A Ban On Abortion Before 15 Weeks As A Minimum Nationwide Standard.” According to the Associated Press, “Former Vice President Mike Pence used a Friday gathering of some of the nation’s leading Christian conservatives to urge his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination to support a 15-week federal abortion ban at minimum. […] ‘We must not rest and we must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in this country,’ Pence said. ‘Every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard.’” [Associated Press, 6/23/23]
Pence Had Previously Indicated Openness To A Six-Week Abortion Ban. According to the Associated Press, “Among GOP candidates, Pence has previously said he’d support banning abortion nationally after just six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. His declaration Friday that a ban at 15 weeks should be the ‘minimum nationwide standard’ mirrors a call from the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. The organization has vowed not to support any White House candidate who doesn’t support a 15-week federal ban at a minimum.” [Associated Press, 6/23/23]
Pence’s Focus On Abortion Was Unique As Other Candidates Avoided The Topic
Pence’s Focus On Abortion Was Unique As Other Candidates Avoided The Topic. According to Politico, “Every indication is that abortion is still a toxic subject for Republicans — and likely will be again in 2024. Democrats are galvanized, riding high off polling that shows opposition to stringent abortion bans and elections in battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Republicans, meanwhile, are on the defensive. And virtually everyone supporting some type of abortion ban agrees the GOP needs to fix its messaging. […] Trump, despite heavy lobbying from anti-abortion rights activists for a 15-week ban, has kept his answers vague when asked whether he would support a federal prohibition. DeSantis, the leading alternative to Trump, makes little mention of a six-week measure that he signed into law in Florida – late at night, with no fanfare. […] Only former Vice President Mike Pence seems to embrace the subject by calling for a federal ban — a virtual imperative in his push to lure the evangelical bloc in the early voting state of Iowa.” [Politico, 6/24/23]
Pence Was Praised By SBA Pro-Life America’s Marjorie Dannenfelser As An “Unapologetic Pro-Life Leader.” According to Politico, “And then there’s Pence. No other GOP candidate has staked his or her candidacy as much on a hardline anti-abortion position as the former vice president. In his announcement speech in Iowa earlier this month, Pence accused Trump of having ‘retreated from the cause of the unborn’ and said his former boss ‘treats it as an inconvenience.’ […] Pence was the first GOP candidate to respond after the fall of Roe. His non-profit Advancing American Freedom filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court arguing in support of Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. And on the day he announced his presidential candidacy, SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser issued a statement calling him ‘the definition of an unapologetic pro-life leader, a longtime friend of unborn children and their mothers.’” [Politico, 6/24/23]
Pence Said He Expected To Call Out Trump And DeSantis At The Debate For Not Calling For A National Abortion Ban. According to the Associated Press, “Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday he expected to call out former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during this month’s Republican presidential debate for not insisting on a national abortion ban, an issue Pence says requires federal action. ‘My former running mate, the governor of Florida and others are suggesting that the Supreme Court returned the question of abortion to the states,’ Pence told reporters while touring the Iowa State Fair on Friday. The 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade stripped away constitutional protections for the procedure. ‘I truly do believe it’s vitally important that we seize the opportunity at the national level to advance protections for the right to life, and I’ll do so as president,’ he added. ‘This is a really big issue. It will be on the stage in Milwaukee.’” [Associated Press, 8/11/23]
PENCE SAID ABORTION SHOULD BE BANNED EVEN WHEN A PREGNANCY IS NOT VIABLE
Pence Said Abortion Should Be Banned Even When A Pregnancy Is Not Viable. According to the Associated Press, “In a recent interview, Pence went even further, saying abortion should be banned when a pregnancy isn’t viable. Such a standard would force women to carry pregnancies to term even when doctors have determined there is no chance a baby will survive outside the womb. ‘I’m pro-life. I don’t apologize for it,’ Pence said in the interview. ‘I just have heard so many stories over the years of courageous women and families who were told that their unborn child would not go to term or would not survive. And then they had a healthy pregnancy and a healthy delivery.’” [Associated Press, 7/12/23]
Advancing American Freedom Released Legislative Framework Of Anti-Abortion Proposals For The 118th Congress To Take Up. According to a press release from Advancing American Freedom, “Advancing American Freedom (AAF) today released a legislative framework that protects the lives of the most vulnerable of our country, ends taxpayer funding of abortions, and looks to ease the bureaucratic burden surrounding foster care and adoption. ‘Americans are ‘endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights’ that include, first among them, life,’ said Advancing American Freedom founder Vice President Mike Pence. ‘Our legislative framework provides the 118th Congress with a roadmap to protect life and restore respect for the sanctity of life, and Advancing American Freedom looks forward to working with Congress to restore a culture of life in America.’ AAF’s frameworks calls on the 118th Congress to take up legislation that advances the policy priorities that will protect and honor the dignity and worth of all people, end taxpayer funding for abortion, and end the violence against pregnancy care centers that offer support to the mother and child.” [Advancing American Freedom Press Release, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Life At Conception Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Heartbeat Protection Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children From Late-Term Abortions Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Defund Planned Parenthood Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Teleabortion Prevention Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion & Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Protecting Life And Integrity In Research Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Protecting Life In Foreign Assistance Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Advancing American Freedom Framework Endorsed The Protecting Life On College Campus Act. [Advancing American Freedom, 1/18/23]
Pence Said “We Need To” Ban Abortion Pills In Leaked Audio. According to Jezebel, “Former Vice President and rumored 2024 presidential contender Mike Pence said ‘we need to’ ban abortion pills in audio obtained by Jezebel. The comments came during a book signing event on Monday in Houston, Texas. Someone at the event asked Pence about medication abortion. Here’s the conversation: Man: Are you thinking about what to do about abortion pills? Would you like to ban those? Pence: To me, it’s...I’m pro-life, and I think that’s a real issue and it’s really dangerous. Really dangerous. Man: I think you can ban them though, don’t you think? Pence: Uh you can, and we need to. We need to. My daughter’s written a lot about it, she writes for The Daily Wire.Man: Oh she does? Pence: Look up Charlotte Pence Bond, she’s done a lot of really important writing on that topic.” [Jezebel, 2/14/23]
Pence Said He Would Welcome The Revocation Of The FDA Authorization Of The Abortion Pill And That Abortion Pills Were “Very Dangerous.” According to CNN, “BLITZER: A federal judge, as you know, in Texas is now considering revoking FDA approval of an abortion pill here in the United States. And that pill, it could have enormous consequences for women all across the country. Would you like to see authorization for that abortion pill revoked? PENCE: Yes, I would. And in fact, the foundation we created in Washington has weighed into a court case on just that point. Those abortifacient drugs are very dangerous. It's a largely unreported story. But in this case, the FDA went beyond their legislative authority to actually have the ability to approve – BLITZER: That’s their responsibility, to approve or disapprove of drugs. PENCE: Look, drill down in the cases, you'll see. They went beyond their legislative authority. I'm a big believer and you can't have these administrative agencies, essentially, going beyond the law. We believe they did in this case. But look, I'm pro-life. I don't apologize for it. I truly do believe that these abortifacients are dangerous. I welcome states that are getting them off the shelf and will continue to push back on this FDA.’” [CNN, 3/30/23]
Advancing American Freedom Filed Amicus Brief In Alliance For Hippocratic Medicine V. FDA. According to a tweet from Advancing American Freedom, “Two decades of stonewalling and junk science by FDA are over. AAF has filed an Amicus Brief in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA:” [Twitter, @AmericanFreedom, 4/12/23]
Pence Was Sole Potential 2024 Candidate To Issue Statement Praising Texas Abortion Pill Decision. According to Axios, “Former Vice President Mike Pence was the sole potential 2024 presidential candidate to issue a statement praising the ruling, calling the FDA's approval of the drug a ‘20-year wrong.’” [Axios, 4/11/23]
Pence Said Ruling By Federal Judge Suspending Use Of Mifepristone Was Long Overdue And That FDA Exceeded Its Authority In Original Approval. According to Newsmax, “Former Vice President Mike Pence told Newsmax on Tuesday a ruling by a federal judge in Texas suspending the use of the abortion drug mifepristone has been long overdue because the Food and Drug Administration exceeded its authority in approving the drug more than 20 years ago. ‘I'm pro-life. I don't apologize for it,’ Pence told ‘The Record With Greta Van Susteren.’ ‘I truly do believe that more than 20 years ago, the FDA exceeded its authority in approving the abortion pill, and American women have paid a price over the last 20 years.’” [Newsmax, 4/12/23]
Pence Said There Were “Hundreds And Hundreds” Of Documented Cases Of Severe Health Outcomes From Women Taking The Abortion Pill. According to Newsmax, “‘There have been hundreds and hundreds of documented cases of women that have suffered severe health outcomes after taking the abortion pill,’ Pence said. ‘But the truth is, the FDA, they end-ran their [approval] process. I was grateful the federal judge, while it was 20 years in the making, has managed to put a halt to this.’” [Newsmax, 4/12/23]
Pence: “I Fully Support Efforts To Take The Abortion Pill Off The Market.” According to The Hill, “Former Vice President Mike Pence says he ‘fully’ supports efforts to take mifepristone, one of two drugs used for medication abortions, off the market. ‘The reality is that 20 years ago, the [Food and Drug Administration] exceeded its authority in approving the abortion pill,’ Pence said Wednesday in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles during a visit to the Nixon Presidential Library. ‘And at the end of the day, I fully support efforts to take the abortion pill off the market.’” [The Hill, 4/20/23]
Pence Called Mifepristone A “Dangerous Medication” And Said It Should “Be Banned.” According to ABC News, “In the wake of the Supreme Court decision on mifepristone on Friday, Pence said he wanted to see the justices ban chemical abortions, labeling the FDA-approved drug as ‘a dangerous medication,’ though doctors and the U.S. government say it is safe. ‘I think that chemical abortions, mail-order abortions that the Biden administration has now allowed should be banned,’ Pence told ABC News after his speech.” [ABC News, 4/23/23]
Advancing American Freedom Posted An Hour-Long Zoom Presentation From Anti-Abortion Activist Angela Lanfranchi To The Group Anglicans For Life. According to Rolling Stone, “On YouTube, Advancing American Freedom posted an hour-long Zoom presentation delivered to the group Anglicans for Life by the surgeon and anti-abortion activist Angela Lanfranchi, a staunch defender of the debunked claim that having an abortion increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer.” [Rolling Stone, 8/28/23]
Lanfranchi Was A Defender Of The Debunked Claim That Having An Abortion Increased One’s Risk Of Developing Breast Cancer. According to Rolling Stone, “On YouTube, Advancing American Freedom posted an hour-long Zoom presentation delivered to the group Anglicans for Life by the surgeon and anti-abortion activist Angela Lanfranchi, a staunch defender of the debunked claim that having an abortion increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer. In her presentation, Lanfranchi focused on what she saw as a consequential moment in this debate. In 2003 — after dozens of anti-abortion lawmakers pressed George W. Bush’s Department of Health and Human Services over the issue — the National Cancer Institute convened more than 100 experts on pregnancy and breast cancer research for a three-day workshop to study the supposed link. At the summit, scientists reviewed ‘existing population-based, clinical, and animal studies’ and concluded there was no evidence that having an abortion or miscarriage increases a person’s breast cancer risk. Lanfranchi claimed that this was the moment, ‘they tried to really squash [the theory] by recommending there should be no more studies.’” [Rolling Stone, 8/28/23]
Many Studies Have Shown There Is No Effect From Abortion On Breast Cancer. According to Rolling Stone, “The vast majority of scientists and medical organizations who have studied the issue disagree with Lanfranchi’s claim. The most definitive study on the subject, published in 1997, before the NCI gathering, examined the health data of more than a million women in Denmark; it found ‘absolutely no effect’ from abortion on breast cancer.” [Rolling Stone, 8/28/23]
2020: Pence Visited A Crisis Pregnancy Center In North Carolina That Spread The False Claim That Breast Cancer Was A Risk Of Abortion. According to Rolling Stone, “It is not the first time that Pence — now one of the most vocally anti-abortion candidates for president — has aligned himself with groups propagating misinformation about abortion and breast cancer. On the campaign trail in 2020, he visited Gateway Women’s Care, a crisis pregnancy center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that erroneously identifies breast cancer as a ‘long term physical risk’ of abortion.” [Rolling Stone, 8/28/23]