[Audio] DeSantis Supported The Trump Administration’s Move To Block Funding For Planned Parenthood Unless They Halted Performing Abortions. “Q: Planned Parenthood? DeSantis: Trump told Planned Parenthood, if they stop abortions they get the money. (Boo) support what he said.” [Discussion with DeSantis Daytona, 3/11/2017; 170311_SEM_619]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Authorize An Additional $800,000 To The Congressional Committee Investigating Planned Parenthood. In December 2016, DeSantis voted for a resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “allow[ed] the House Energy and Commerce Committee to spend an additional $800,000 during the remainder of the 114th Congress.” Also according to Congressional Quarterly, the resolution specifically “provide[d] more money to the panel investigating the alleged sale of fetal tissue.” The vote was on the resolution. The House agreed to the resolution by a vote of 234 to 181. [House Vote 595, 12/1/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/1/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/1/16; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 933]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Create A Congressional Subcommittee To Investigative Issues Related to Fetal Tissue Donation. In October 2015, DeSantis voted to create a Congressional subcommittee to investigate issues related to fetal tissue donation. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “establish[ed] a select investigative subcommittee under the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The panel would be responsible for investigating and reporting on issues related to fetal tissue donation, fetal tissue procurement, federal funding for abortion services, and late-term abortions. The panel would be composed, as amended, of 15 members selected by the speaker and minority leader, with no more than six Democrats.” The vote was on the legislation. The House passed the bill by a vote of 242 to 184. The legislation, not needing Senate approval or a presidential signature, created the committee. [House Vote 538, 10/7/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/7/15; The Hill, 10/7/15; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 461]
DeSantis Claimed Planned Parenthood Sold “Baby Parts For Profit.” According to a press release by Congressman Ron DeSantis via States News Service, “Continuing resolutions are no way to legislate. Today’s continuing resolution extends the spending priorities of the Harry Reid Senate from 2014, fails to direct money away from organizations like Planned Parenthood that sell baby parts for profit, contains less funding for our military than the appropriations bill passed by the House earlier this year, and does nothing to cut wasteful spending and reform government.” [Congressman Ron DeSantis via States News Service, 9/30/15]
DeSantis Accused Rep. Murphy And Rep. Grayson Of “Supporting Taxpayer $ For Org That Sells Baby Parts.” According to Palm Beach Post, “While DeSantis faces three other Republicans for the GOP nomination — Jolly, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and businessman Todd Wilcox — he put out a statement today ripping Democrat Grayson for supporting ‘an organization that traffics in baby parts.’ DeSantis is one of 164 co-sponsors of a bill to place a one-year moratorium on Planned Parenthood funding. He sent out a tweet this afternoon accusing Murphy and Grayson of supporting ‘taxpayer $ for org that sells baby parts. Outrageous!’ Both Murphy and Grayson fired back at DeSantis on Twitter later in the afternoon.” [Palm Beach Post, 8/10/15]
VIDEO: Ron DeSantis: “Do You Want To Live In A Country Where Your Tax Dollars Are Going To Subsidize A Meat Market For Baby Parts?” According to a video of Sharktank, “The thing is a lot of Americans still haven’t seen these videos, because the media does not like to report about it. And the media on this issue, they are very much in the tank for the left fringe of the democratic party. And so you really have something that I think once people are educated about it I think you are going to have 75-80 percent of the public be revolted by it, and look what kind of country do you want to live in. Do you want to live in a country where your tax dollars are going to subsidize a meat market for baby parts? That’s not something I want to live in." [Congressman Ron DeSantis on Sharktank, 8/10/15]
VIDEO: Ron DeSantis: “The Media On This Issue [Of The Planned Parenthood Videos], They Are Very Much In The Tank For The Left Fringe Of The Democratic Party.” According to a video of Sharktank, “The thing is a lot of Americans still haven’t seen these videos, because the media does not like to report about it. And the media on this issue, they are very much in the tank for the left fringe of the democratic party. And so you really have something that I think once people are educated about it I think you are going to have 75-80 percent of the public be revolted by it, and look what kind of country do you want to live in. Do you want to live in a country where your tax dollars are going to subsidize a meat market for baby parts? That’s not something I want to live in." [Congressman Ron DeSantis on Sharktank, 8/10/15]
DeSantis Asked “A Particularly Unusual Hypothetical” Of A Child Being Born Alive Following A Botched Abortion To Which Richards Said She Had “Never Heard Of Such A Circumstance Happening.” According to Slate, “Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is testifying today in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where she has faced hostile queries from several Republicans. Jacksonville-area Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis began his question time with a particularly unusual hypothetical: The exchange: DeSantis: Ms. Richards, if a child survives an abortion attempt, should it be given nourishment and medical care? Richards: I’ve never heard of such a circumstance happening. I ... DeSantis: Really? [crosstalk] Richards: I can say at Planned Parenthood, I’m aware of no instance—we don’t provide abortions after viability, so, certainly in my experience at Planned Parenthood we haven’t ever had that kind of circumstance.” [Slate, 9/29/15]
DeSantis Asked Richards About A Video That Featured “A Technician, Holly O’Donnell” To Which Richards Replied That “That Woman Does Not Work For Planned Parenthood.” According to CQ Transcriptions, “DESANTIS [asked Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards]: I understand. What about -- there was one specific one that there was a technician, Holly O’Donnell, she was describing harvesting the brain of a late-term boy. She said she wasn’t sure if the baby was alive since its heart was still beating, and that she harvested the brain by cutting his head open, starting with the chin, do recall that? RICHARDS: That woman does not work for Planned Parenthood so I cannot speak to anything she said. I’m not responsible for her. DESANTIS: Do you deny that her description of what happened is something that does occur in Planned Parenthood clinics or its affiliates? RICHARDS: I have never -- there is nothing she has ever described that I could attest to has ever happened.” [CQ Transcriptions, 9/29/15]
DeSantis Asked Richards Why Would There Be A Video Of A PP Doctor “Negotiating Over The Price” Of Baby Parts If There Was No Profit Being Made To Which She Completely Disagreed With His Characterization Of The Video. According to CQ Transcriptions, “DESANTIS: If that’s the case, then, the video with Dr. Gatter negotiating over the price of the parts. If there’s no profit being made, then why would you be negotiating over how much the parts are going to be sold for? RICHARDS: Well, with respect, I completely disagree with your characterization of that, and that is why I read all of the transcripts, the full, not these edited sensationalized videos, and what I read -- because we take this very seriously -- I read over and over... DESANTIS: There is negotiation. I understand... RICHARDS: I just disagree with your characterization.” [CQ Transcriptions, 9/29/15]
DeSantis Asked Richards If “Planned Parenthood Or Its Affiliates Harvest And Sells Fetal Body Parts For Profit.” To Which She Said They “Have A Very Clear Policy On Fetal Tissue Donation.” According to CQ Transcriptions, “DESANTIS [asked Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards]: Do you admit that Planned Parenthood or its affiliates harvest and sells fetal body parts for profit? RICHARDS: We are very clear at Planned Parenthood -- we have a very clear policy on fetal tissue donation. It’s done with the full consent of the patient, and as I said earlier in my statements, it is only currently done in fewer than 1 percent of Planned Parenthood health centers. And in one... DESANTIS: But no profit. RICHARDS: And in one -- excuse me. The one affiliate in Washington state that does not receive any reimbursement for their costs, and there’s only one other one, which is in California, and they have assured us that whatever reimbursement they receive it is less than what the costs are for providing fetal issue to that organization.” [CQ Transcriptions, 9/29/15]
2017: DeSantis Missed The Vote On The FY 2018 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution Which In Part Called For Effectively Defunding Planned Parenthood. In October 2017, DeSantis missed the vote on a budget resolution that would in part, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide for $2.9 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2018. It would balance the budget by fiscal 2023 by reducing spending by $10.1 trillion over 10 years. It would cap total discretionary spending at $1.06 trillion for fiscal 2018 and would assume no separate Overseas Contingency Operations funding for fiscal 2018 or subsequent years and would incorporate funding related to war or terror into the base defense account. It would assume repeal of the 2010 health care overhaul and would convert Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program into a single block grant program. It would require that off budget programs, such as Social Security, the U.S. Postal Service, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, be included in the budget.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2018 House GOP budget resolution. The House rejected the RSC budget by a vote of 139 to 281. [House Vote 555, 10/5/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/5/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 455; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 71]
2017: DeSantis Missed The Vote On The FY 2018 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution Which In Part Called For Effectively Defunding Planned Parenthood. In October 2017, DeSantis missed the vote on a budget resolution that would in part, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide for $2.9 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2018. It would balance the budget by fiscal 2023 by reducing spending by $10.1 trillion over 10 years. It would cap total discretionary spending at $1.06 trillion for fiscal 2018 and would assume no separate Overseas Contingency Operations funding for fiscal 2018 or subsequent years and would incorporate funding related to war or terror into the base defense account. It would assume repeal of the 2010 health care overhaul and would convert Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program into a single block grant program. It would require that off budget programs, such as Social Security, the U.S. Postal Service, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, be included in the budget.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2018 House GOP budget resolution. The House rejected the RSC budget by a vote of 139 to 281. [House Vote 555, 10/5/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/5/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 455; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 71]
2017: DeSantis Voted For The American Health Care Act That Would Have In Part Prohibited Federal Funding To Planned Parenthood. In May 2017, DeSantis voted for the American Health Care Act which would have significantly repealed portions of the Affordable Care Act by cutting Medicaid, cutting taxes on the rich, removing safeguard for pre-existing conditions and defunding Planned Parenthood. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “prohibit[ed] federal funding to any entity, such as Planned Parenthood, that performs abortions and receives more than $350 million a year in Medicaid funds.” The overall legislation would have in part, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “ma[d]e extensive changes to the 2010 health care overhaul law, by effectively repealing the individual and employer mandates as well as most of the taxes that finance the current system. It would [have], in 2020, convert[ed] Medicaid into a capped entitlement that would provide[d] fixed federal payments to states and end[ed] additional federal funding for the 2010 law’s joint federal-state Medicaid expansion. […] It would [have] allow[ed] states to receive waivers to exempt insurers from having to provide certain minimum benefits.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217 to 213. [House Vote 256, 5/4/17; Congressional Quarterly, 5/4/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1628]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Override President Obama’s Veto Of A Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood. In February 2015, DeSantis voted to override President Obama’s veto of a bill that according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “scrap[ed] in 2018 the law's Medicaid expansion, as well as subsidies to help individuals buy coverage through the insurance exchanges.” Additionally, according to Congressional Quarterly the bill would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law and block[ed] federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. As amended, the bill would zero-out the law’s penalties for noncompliance with the law’s requirements for most individuals to obtain health coverage and employers to offer health insurance.” The vote was on a veto override, which required a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House, which was 285 in the House. The House rejected the veto override by a vote of 241 to 186. [House Vote 53, 2/2/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Real Clear Politics, 12/4/15; Congressional Quarterly, 2/2/16; NBC News, 1/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762]
DeSantis Cosponsored Legislation That Would Defund Planned Parenthood. According to The Stuart News, “DeSantis co-sponsored a bill last month to cut off money for Planned Parenthood. A similar proposal failed in the Senate last week and some Republicans are calling for a government shutdown to defund the nonprofit, a measure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he won’t allow. The nonprofit doesn’t use federal money for abortions.” [Stuart News, 8/14/15]
DeSantis Was In Favor Of Defunding Planned Parenthood And Criticized Democrats Patrick Murphy And Alan Grayson For Still Supporting The Organization. According to TC Palm, “GOP candidate U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis of Ponte Vedra called for defunding the organization during an Atlanta conservative rally on Monday, and slammed Murphy for not taking a stance after an anti-abortion rights group released videos it says show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue from abortions. The organization says it doesn’t sell the tissue but receives donations for it. DeSantis also took jabs at Orlando U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, Murphy’s Democratic primary opponent in the race for Sen. Marco Rubio’s open seat next year, for supporting federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which Murphy also supports.” [TC Palm, 4/11/15]
DeSantis Did Not Sign The Letter Saying He Would Oppose Any Government Funding That Also Included Money For Planned Parenthood. According to The National Journal, “Two years later, a similar recess letter about Planned Parenthood has not gained the same momentum, with just 18 House Republicans signing on. And this time, Senate candidates like Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana and Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida are notable because they have declined to join the signers. […] While both DeSantis and Stutzman have spoken out against using tax dollars to fund Planned Parenthood after the release of undercover videos highlighting the use of fetal tissue in research, this year’s letter has not become the same litmus test of conservative bona fides that Obamacare was two years prior. […] A statement from DeSantis’s office said he does ‘not believe taxpayer dollars should be used to fund an organization that engages in such horrific conduct.” [National Journal, 8/27/15]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood As Part Of The FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In March 2015, DeSantis voted for defunding Planned Parenthood. According to the Republican Study Committee, the budget would “ensures[ed] that no taxpayer dollars flow to entities that provide abortions.” The underlying budget resolution would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for $2.804 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2016, not including off-budget accounts. The substitute would call for reducing spending by $7.1 trillion over 10 years compared to the Congressional Budget Office baseline.” The vote was on the substitute amendment to a Budget Resolution. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 132 to 294. [House Vote 138, 3/25/15; Republican Study Committee, FY 2016 Budget; Congressional Quarterly, 3/25/15; Congress.gov, H. Amdt. 83; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 27]
2015: DeSantis Voted For A Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood. In December 2015, DeSantis voted for a bill that according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “scrap[ed] in 2018 the law's Medicaid expansion, as well as subsidies to help individuals buy coverage through the insurance exchanges.” Additionally, according to Congressional Quarterly the bill would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law and block[ed] federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. As amended, the bill would zero-out the law’s penalties for noncompliance with the law’s requirements for most individuals to obtain health coverage and employers to offer health insurance.” The vote was on a motion to concur with the Senate amendment, which indicated final passage. The House approved the bill by a vote of 240 to 181. The Senate had already passed the measure. President Obama vetoed the legislation. [House Vote 6, 1/8/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762; Real Clear Politics, 12/4/15; NBC News, 1/8/15]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood For One Year And To Repeal Portions Of The Affordable Care Act. In October 2015, DeSantis voted to defund Planned Parenthood through a reconciliation bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, the reconciliation bill would have “block[ed], for one year, federal funding for Planned Parenthood and would increase funding for community health centers by $235 million in both fiscal 2016 and 2017.” In addition, according to Congressional Quarterly, the measure would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law, including: the requirements for most individuals to have health insurance and employers with more than 50 employees to offer it or face penalties, the 2.3 percent tax on the sale of medical devices, the tax on certain high-value employer-sponsored health insurance plans, and the Prevention and Public Health Fund.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 240 to 189. The Senate later passed a different version of the legislation. [House Vote 568, 10/23/15; Congressional Quarterly, 10/23/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood For One Year Unless It Ceased Offering Abortion Services. In September 2015, DeSantis voted for defunding Planned Parenthood for one year. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill would have “bar[red], for one year, federal funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliates unless they certify that, during that period, they will not perform abortions or provide funds to other entities that perform abortions. The prohibition would apply to all federal funds, including Medicaid. The bill would provide exceptions for abortions provided in the case of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother. As amended, the bill would effectively redirect funds from Planned Parenthood to the community health center program; specifically, it would appropriate $235 million for community health centers, in addition to any other funds available to the program.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 187. The Senate has not yet acted on the legislation. [House Vote 505, 9/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3134]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Defund Planned Parenthood. In September 2015, DeSantis voted for defunding Planned Parenthood. According to Congressional Quarterly, the vote was on “Adoption of the concurrent resolution (H Con Res 79) that would require the House enrolling clerk to add language to the CR defunding Planned Parenthood before it is sent to the president.” The vote was on agreeing to the resolution. The House agreed to the resolution by a vote of 241 to 185. A Continuing Resolution that did not defund Planned Parenthood was signed into law. [House Vote 527, 9/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/30/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 719]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Disapprove A Rule That Would Have Effectively Withheld Title X Funds To States That Restrict Title X Funds To Planned Parenthood. In February 2017, DeSantis voted for disapproving the HHS rule related to Title X funding compliance via the Congressional Review Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This resolution disapproves the rule issued by the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on Dec. 19, 2016, that modifies eligibility requirements for Title X grants for family planning services to specify that states and other entities awarding funds cannot prohibit a health care provider from participating for reasons other than its ability to provide Title X services (which effectively threatens to withhold Title X money from states that restrict participation by Planned Parenthood). The measure provides that the rule (formally titled Compliance With Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients) would have no force or effect.” The vote was on the resolution. The House adopted the legislation by a vote of 230 to 188. The legislation later became law. [House Vote 99, 2/16/17; Congressional Quarterly, 2/10/17; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 43]
2016: DeSantis Voted For An FY 2017 Military Construction And Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill Which Also Provided $1.1 Billion In Zika Funding, $800 Million Less Than Requested While Also Stipulating That No Funding Could Be Used To Pay For Abortions. In June 2016, DeSantis voted for an FY 2017 military construction and veterans affairs conference report which would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] $82.5 billion in fiscal 2017 appropriations for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction and military housing and would provide $1.1 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus with about $750 million in offsets.” The vote was on the conference report. The House agreed to the legislation by a vote of 239 to 171. The Senate later failed to invoke cloture on the conference report. [House Vote 342, 6/23/16; Congressional Quarterly, 6/28/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2577]