DeSantis Said That The Fall Of Roe “Answered The Prayers Of Millions […] Of Americans.” According to DeSantis’s Official Twitter, “By properly interpreting the Constitution, the Supreme Court has answered the prayers of millions upon millions of Americans. The prayers of millions have been answered.’” [Twitter, @GovRonDeSantis, 6/24/22]
DeSantis Said “By Properly Interpreting The Constitution, The Dobbs Majority Has Restored The People's Role In Our Republic And A Sense Of Hope That Every Life Counts.” According to DeSantis’s Official Twitter, “By properly interpreting the Constitution, the Dobbs majority has restored the people's role in our republic and a sense of hope that every life counts.’” [Twitter, @GovRonDeSantis, 6/24/22]
DeSantis Promised That “Florida Will Continue To Defend Its Recently-Enacted Pro-Life Reforms Against State Court Challenges, Will Work To Expand Pro-Life Protections, And Will Stand For Life By Promoting Adoption, Foster Care And Child Welfare.” According to DeSantis’s Official Twitter, “Florida will continue to defend its recently-enacted pro-life reforms against state court challenges, will work to expand pro-life protections, and will stand for life by promoting adoption, foster care and child welfare.’” [Twitter, @GovRonDeSantis, 6/24/22]
2021: DeSantis Signed Onto Amicus Brief In Mississippi Abortion Case Calling To End Roe. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed onto a brief that calls for the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and leave the issue of abortion to the states. DeSantis and 10 other Republican governors joined a friend-of-the court brief filed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster in a closely watched Mississippi abortion case. Mississippi is asking the nation’s high court to do away with the constitutional right to abortion and to uphold a recently enacted state law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.” [Orlando Sentinel, 7/30/21]
2018: DeSantis Refused To Say Whether Trump’s Supreme Court Nomination Should Overturn Roe v. Wade. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Polls have consistently shown that roughly two-thirds of men and women support Roe vs. Wade, although Republicans mostly oppose it. When pressed at the first Republican governor’s debate, however, neither Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam nor Congressman Ron DeSantis would say whether Trump’s Supreme Court pick should overturn the decision. But the Supreme Court wouldn’t necessarily have to overturn the decision. They could weaken it instead. Both Putnam and DeSantis said they support the so-called ‘heartbeat bill,’ an Iowa law that bans abortions at the detection of a heartbeat.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/4/18]
DeSantis Signed A 15-Week Abortion Ban. According to Politico, “Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a measure that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy in Florida, calling it the most significant restriction in a generation. The law will take effect on July 1. DeSantis signed the bill, HB 5, at a Spanish-speaking church in Kissimmee. The measure represents the most significant restriction on abortion in state history and comes amid other Republican-controlled states taking steps to limit abortion.” [Politico, 4/14/22]
DeSantis: “I Am Proud To Sign This Great Piece Of Legislation Which Represents The Most Significant Protections For Life In The State’s Modern History.” According to NPR, “‘House Bill 5 protects babies in the womb who have beating hearts, who can move, who can taste, who can see, and who can feel pain,’ DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. ‘Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state's modern history.’” [NPR, 5/14/22]
Miami Herald Op-Ed: Both DeSantis And Putnam Pledged “To Sign A ‘Heartbeat Bill’ Should The Legislature Pass One […] Which Would Essentially Outlaw Abortion.” According to an op-ed in the Miami Herald, “The debate was televised live, and the moderators, Brett Baier and Martha McCallum, posed tough, fair, no-nonsense questions. Although there were none about the environment or the economy, they did ask about a pledge both candidates have made to sign a ‘heartbeat bill’ should the Legislature pass one. Both candidates said they would, which would essentially outlaw abortion.” [Miami Herald, 7/3/18]
2018: DeSantis Said He Supported Iowa’s “Heartbeat” Bill. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Polls have consistently shown that roughly two-thirds of men and women support Roe vs. Wade, although Republicans mostly oppose it. When pressed at the first Republican governor’s debate, however, neither Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam nor Congressman Ron DeSantis would say whether Trump’s Supreme Court pick should overturn the decision. But the Supreme Court wouldn’t necessarily have to overturn the decision. They could weaken it instead. Both Putnam and DeSantis said they support the so-called ‘heartbeat bill,’ an Iowa law that bans abortions at the detection of a heartbeat.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/4/18]
2021: DeSantis Called Texas’ Six-Week Abortion Ban “Interesting” And Said “I’m Going To Have To Look More Significantly At It.” According to Florida Politics, “Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in on Texas’ heartbeat abortion ban the U.S. Supreme Court declined to overturn late Wednesday. The new Texas state law bans abortions after a heartbeat is detected, around six weeks. Instead of posing criminal punishments enforceable by the state, a novel aspect to the law lets private citizens sue providers and anyone assisting an abortion for their role in the act. Speaking in West Palm Beach Thursday afternoon, DeSantis was asked by reporters if he would support a Texas-style abortion law. He noted he is ‘pro-life’ and called Texas’ approach ‘interesting.’ ‘It’s a little bit different than how a lot of these debates have gone, so we’ll have to look. I’m going to look more significantly at it,’ DeSantis said.” [Florida Politics, 9/2/21]
DeSantis Said “I Welcome Pro-Life Legislation” When Asked About The Texas Heartbeat Law. According to the Daily Caller, “‘I’m pro life,’ DeSantis said. ‘I welcome pro-life legislation. What they did in Texas was interesting, and I haven’t really been able to look at enough about it, they’ve basically done this through private right of action. So, it’s a little bit different than how a lot of these debates have gone.’ ‘I’m gonna look more significantly at it,’ he added.” [Daily Called, 9/2/21]
2017: DeSantis Voted For The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, Which Banned Abortion After 20-Weeks. In October 2017, DeSantis voted for legislation banning abortion after the fetus is 20-weeks old. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, if the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. The bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the ‘potential’ to survive outside the womb.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 237 to 189. [House Vote 549, 10/3/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/3/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
2015: DeSantis Voted For A Bill That Would Prohibit Abortions After 20-Weeks Gestation. In May 2015, DeSantis voted for a bill that would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of gestation and would impose criminal penalties on doctors that violated the ban. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would, “prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape if, as amended, for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. As amended, the bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the ‘potential’ to survive outside the womb, and, if the fetus is born alive, the bill would require that the infant be provided medical care and immediately be transported and admitted to a hospital. As amended, women wishing to have abortions under the bill’s exceptions would need to sign (along with the doctor and a witness) an informed consent authorization form detailing the age of the fetus and stating that, if born alive, would be given medical assistance and transported to a hospital.” The vote was on passage and the House passed the bill 242 to 184. Cloture on the motion to proceed on the bill was blocked in the Senate. [House Vote 223, 5/13/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/13/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/12/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
Rep. DeSantis Co-Sponsored ‘Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.’ According to Congress.gov, “Rep. Ron DeSantis co-sponsored Rep. Franks bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” [Congress.gov, Accessed 1/26/16]
[Audio] 2016: DeSantis Touted Pain Capable Legislation Introduced By The GOP. “Question: Fight for the unborn? DeSantis: Yeah we did the pain threshold bill in 2013 and 2015. Try to defund public money for abortion, mainly because people don’t want tax dollars going to abortion, so if you subsidize something you get more of it. Religious liberty protections by forcing Little Sisters of the Poor to buy abortion-inducing drugs. If government gets bigger religious freedoms get called into question and if Garland were on the bench he will overturn religious freedom.” [Ron DeSantis Jihad Speech Tour in Panama City, 04/05/16; 160405_EW_474]
2013: DeSantis Voted For Banning Abortion After 20 Weeks. In June 2013, DeSantis voted for a bill banning most abortion across the country twenty weeks after conception. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would create a nationwide ban on abortions performed at 20 weeks or later, except in cases where the life of the woman is in danger. It would provide exceptions to the ban in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest against a minor, if it has been reported to law enforcement or a government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. It also would impose criminal penalties on physicians who violate the ban and subject violators to a maximum five-year jail sentence, fines or both.” The House approved the bill by a vote of 228 to 196. As of November 2013, the Senate had taken any substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 251, 6/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/18/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1797]
2013: DeSantis Voted In Committee To Ban Most Abortions At Or Beyond 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy, Except When The Life Of The Mother Is In Danger. In June 2013, DeSantis voted to ban most abortions at or beyond 20 weeks. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have, “Ban[ned] most abortions nationwide performed at or beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, with an exception for a woman whose life is in danger. Under the amended bill, those who perform such abortions could face up to five years in prison. The woman receiving the abortion could not be prosecuted.” The House Judiciary subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice agreed to the legislation by a vote of 6 to 4. The full committee, and later the House passed the measure, but it died in the Senate. [Congressional Quarterly, 6/4/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1797]
2013: DeSantis Voted In Committee To Ban Most Abortions At Or Beyond 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy, Except When Only The Life Of The Mother Is In Danger. In June 2013, DeSantis voted to ban most abortions at or beyond 20 weeks. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have, “Create[d] a nationwide ban on abortions performed at 20 weeks post-fertilization or beyond, with an exception if the woman’s life is in danger.” The House Judiciary committee agreed to the legislation by a vote of 20 to 12. The House later passed the measure, but it died in the Senate. [Congressional Quarterly, 6/12/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1797]
2017: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing An Exception For The Life Of The Mother From A 20-Week Abortion Ban. In October 2017, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “add[ed] an exception to the 20-week abortion ban for abortions necessary to save the health of the pregnant woman.” The underlying legislation was a 20-week abortion ban. The House rejected the motion to recommit by a vote of 187 to 238. [House Vote 548, 10/3/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/3/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 36]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against To Allow An Exception To A 20-Week Abortion Ban If The Health Of The Woman Was In Danger. In May 2015, DeSantis voted against an exception to a 20-week abortion ban for when the life of the pregnant woman was at risk. According to the Congressional Quarterly, the legislation was a motion to “recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would add an exception to the 20-week abortion ban for abortions necessary to save the health of the pregnant woman.” The larger legislation was HR 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have prohibited “an abortion from being performed if the probably post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater” except where it is necessary to save the life of the mother, or in the case of rape or incest if the woman had had counseling and had reported the incident. The vote was on a motion to recommit with instructions and the House rejected the motion 181 to 246. HR 36 passed the House on May 13, 2015 in a vote 242-184. [House Vote 222, 5/13/15; Congressional Quarterly, 5/13/15; Congress.gov, 5/13/15]
2013: DeSantis Voted In Committee Against Expanding An Exemption To A 20-Week Abortion Ban To Include The Woman’s Health More Broadly That Only Life Threatening. In June 2013, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “expand[ed] the existing life-endangerment exception to include a woman’s health more broadly. It also would strip the bill’s explicit exclusion of mental health considerations as a reason to allow an abortion at or beyond 20 weeks post-fertilization.” The underlying measure was H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have “Create[d] a nationwide ban on abortions performed at 20 weeks post-fertilization or beyond, with an exception if the woman’s life is in danger.” The vote was on the amendment. The House Judiciary committee rejected the amendment by a vote of 16 to 20. The full committee, and later the House passed the underlying legislation, but it died in the Senate. [Congressional Quarterly, 6/12/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1797]
June 2020: DeSantis Signed A Bill The Required Parental Consent Before A Minor Could Have An Abortion. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a bill that will require parental consent before minors can have abortions, a long-sought goal of abortion opponents in Florida. DeSantis did not make a public statement about the bill signing, but Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and other supporters praised the measure and said parents need to be involved when their underage daughters consider having abortions. ‘The serious and irrevocable decision to end a pregnancy involves undergoing a significant medical procedure that results, in many cases, in lifelong emotional and physical impacts,’ Galvano said in a prepared statement. ‘The parents of a minor child considering an abortion must be involved in such a substantial and permanent decision.’ But opponents contend the parental-consent requirement will endanger teens who could be subject to retribution or abuse if their parents find out they are pregnant or considering an abortion.” [South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 6/30/20]
Opponents Of The Bill Claimed It Was An Attempt To Bring Florida’s Constitutional Right To Privacy Before The Supreme Court. According to Miami Herald, “But opponents of the bill call it a ‘Trojan horse’ meant to put the issue — protected in Florida by a constitutional right to privacy — before a more conservative state Supreme Court. The privacy rights outlined in the state Constitution have been used to strike down other laws restricting abortions in the past. In 1989, the state Supreme Court struck down a previous law requiring parental consent for abortion. In 2003, courts struck down a law requiring parental notification, but voters in 2004 approved a constitutional amendment to recreate a similar law requiring that parents are notified when a minor gets an abortion. [Miami Herald, 2/20/20]
DeSantis Said “I Also Hope That The Parental Consent Bill Will Make Its Way To My Desk During This Session!” According to the New York Post, “DeSantis, a Republican, previously expressed his support for the bill in his Jan. 14 ‘State of the State’ address. ‘I also hope that the parental consent bill will make its way to my desk during this session!’ DeSantis said.” [New York Post, 2/22/20]
DeSantis Said That The Parental Involvement In Abortions “Deserves To Be Reconsidered.” According to the Miami Herald, “DeSantis Said When asked Thursday whether the Florida Supreme Court will set new precedent with parental consent, DeSantis told reporters that parental involvement in a minor’s decision to get an abortion ‘deserves to be reconsidered.’ Last week when the Senate bill was heard, Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said the legislation will be the “first test” of the new Supreme Court, reshaped by like-minded DeSantis appointments.” [Miami Herald, 2/20/20]
DeSantis Said That The Parental Consent Bill Measure Was “Common Sense” And “If You’re A Minor And You Have To Get Consent To Do Almost Anything Else, To Me, That’s Very Reasonable.” According to Associated Press, “Although a similar law was deemed unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court in 1989, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has also publicly voiced support for the bill. DeSantis, when asked about the measure at an event last month in Miami, called the measure a matter of ‘common sense’. ‘If you’re a minor and you have to get consent to do almost anything else, to me, that’s very reasonable,’ DeSantis said.” [Associated Press, 4/7/19]
Before The Senate Voted On The Parental Consent Bill DeSantis Said Regardless Of The “Underlying Issues” Parents “Want To Be Involved With What’s Going On With Their Kids.” According to Orlando Weekly, “Minors who seek abortions would be required to obtain parental consent or convince judges to waive the requirement under a bill that received final legislative approval Thursday and has the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Thursday’s 75-43 vote in the House was a victory for DeSantis, who said on the opening day of this year’s legislative session that he hoped the proposal “will make its way to my desk during this session.” The Senate voted 23-17 to pass the bill (SB 404) on Feb. 6. Before the vote Thursday, DeSantis said Florida’s current abortion laws involving minors are an “outlier” among other states. Regardless of the “underlying issue,” he said, parents “want to be involved with what’s going on with their kids.” [Orlando Weekly, 2/21/20]
Before The Florida Senate Voted On The Parental Consent Bill, DeSantis Claimed The Florida’s Abortion Laws Were An “Outlier” Among Other States. According to Orlando Weekly, “Minors who seek abortions would be required to obtain parental consent or convince judges to waive the requirement under a bill that received final legislative approval Thursday and has the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Thursday’s 75-43 vote in the House was a victory for DeSantis, who said on the opening day of this year’s legislative session that he hoped the proposal ‘will make its way to my desk during this session.’ The Senate voted 23-17 to pass the bill (SB 404) on Feb. 6. Before the vote Thursday, DeSantis said Florida’s current abortion laws involving minors are an ‘outlier’ among other states. Regardless of the ‘underlying issue,’ he said, parents want to be involved with what’s going on with their kids.’” [Orlando Weekly, 2/21/20]
2013: DeSantis Voted In Committee Against Creating An Exemption To A 20-Week Abortion Ban For Pregnancies Resulting To Rape Or Incest. In June 2013, DeSantis voted against creating an exemption to a proposed 20-week abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. According to Congressional Quarterly, the vote was an amendment that would have “create an exception to the abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.” The underlying measure was H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have “Create[d] a nationwide ban on abortions performed at 20 weeks post-fertilization or beyond, with an exception if the woman’s life is in danger.” The vote was on the amendment. The House Judiciary committee rejected the amendment by a vote of 13 to 17. The full committee, and later the House passed the underlying legislation, but it died in the Senate. [Congressional Quarterly, 6/12/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1797]
DeSantis Did Not Respond To Requests For A Statement On Senator Marco Rubio’s Opposition “To All Abortions With No Exceptions For Cases Of Rape Or Incest.” According to Florida Politics, “Perhaps Monday was just a busy day in the GOP Senate campaign. Too busy, perhaps, to craft even a pro forma response regarding the question of whether or not they shared Marco Rubio’s abortion position, described by Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant as opposition ‘to all abortions with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.’ The press shops for David Jolly, Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and Ron DeSantis were all contacted Monday afternoon with a simple question: ‘I was wondering if your candidate had a reaction to this, as the Dems have called [your candidate] out on it. If I could get a statement today regarding where [your candidate is vis a vis the Rubio position, it would be appreciated.’ And… nothing.” [Florida Politics, 2/9/16]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Guaranteeing Women’s Medical Privacy In A Bill Banning Federal Funds To Pay For Abortions. In January 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against guaranteeing women’s medical privacy in a bill banning federal funds to pay for abortions. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to recommit would have “clarif[ied] that nothing in the bill could be construed to authorize any party from violating the medical privacy of women, including the victims of rape or incest, with respect to their choice or use of health insurance.” The underlying measure would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “permanently prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion or abortion coverage, prohibits federal medical facilities and health professionals from providing abortion services, and prohibits individuals and small businesses from receiving federal subsidies and tax credits under the 2010 health care overhaul to purchase health care plans that cover abortions. The measure provides an exception for abortions in cases of rape or incest and for saving the life of the mother. It also requires all qualified health plans that provide abortion coverage to prominently disclose that fact to enrollees at the time of enrollment, as well as to prominently display such information in any marketing or advertising materials, plan comparison tools or summaries of benefits and coverage.” The vote was on the motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 177 to 240. [House Vote 44, 1/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/15]
2017: DeSantis Voted Against D.C.’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act. In September 2017, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] any funds appropriated by the bill from being used to implement the District of Columbia’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act.” The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 214 to 194. The House later passed the underlying legislation. [House Vote 518, 9/14/17; Congressional Quarterly, 9/14/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 432; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3354]
2016: Voted To Prohibit Funding From Being Used To Implement Washington D.C.’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act. In July 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] funds from being used to implement the District of Columbia’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 financial services appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 223 to 192. The House later passed the underlying bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 390, 7/7/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/7/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1259; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5485]
2015: DeSantis Voted To Disapprove Of D.C.’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act Of 2014, Which Prohibited Employers From Discriminating Based On Individual’s Reproductive Health Decisions. In April 2015, DeSantis voted for a joint resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide[d] for disapproval and repeal of the District of Columbia’s Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014, which prohibits employers from discriminating based on an individual’s reproductive health decisions.” The vote was on the joint resolution. The House passed the joint resolution by a vote of 228 to 192. The Senate has yet to act on the joint resolution, which because of a 30 day deadline Congress has to overturn D.C. Council-passed bills, renders the legislation moot. [House Vote 194, 4/30/15; Congressional Quarterly, 4/30/15; Congressional Actions, H.J.Res.43; Congressional Quarterly, 4/30/15]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted In Committee To Allow Employer Discrimination In Washington, D.C. Based On Their Reproductive Health Decisions. In April 2015, DeSantis effectively voted to allow Washington, D.C. employers to discriminate based on the employees reproductive health care decisions. According to Congressional Quarterly, the vote was “Adopt[ing] a joint resolution of disapproval against a District of Columbia Council-passed measure that would prohibit employers in D.C. from firing or discriminating against workers based on their reproductive health decisions, or the reproductive choices of their spouses and dependents, such as those concerning birth control methods, fertility treatments and other services.” The vote was on the joint resolution. The House Oversight and Government Reform committee agreed to the resolution by a vote of 20 to 16. The legislation was later passed by the full House, but this resolution, nor a related measure was passed by the Senate. [Congressional Quarterly, 4/21/15; Congressional Actions, H.J. Res. 43; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res. 10]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted To Bar Funding For School Districts If Their Health-Centers Provide, Counsel Or Refer For Abortion Care. In February 2015, DeSantis voted for a House rule on an education reform bill with self-executing language on the ‘Gag Rule’ for school based health centers. According to NARAL, the resolution would have “provide[ed] for House consideration of the legislation” for the Student Success Act. Also according to NARAL, “The self-executing rule added language denying funding for school districts unless their school-based health centers agree not to provide, counsel, or refer for abortion care.” The vote was on the resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 234 to 184. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but the final version which became law, which was different legislation, did not include the policy. [House Vote 93, 2/26/15; NARAL, 12/30/15; Congress.gov, H.R. 5; Congress.gov, H. Rept. 114-354; Public Law, 114-95; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 125]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Bar Governments From Discriminating Against A Health Care Provider Because They Do Not Cover Abortion. In July 2016, DeSantis voted for a bill related to the so-called ‘Conscience Clause,’ often related to abortion coverage. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would prohibit federal, state, and local governments that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against a health care provider because the provider does not provide or sponsor abortion coverage, and would provide a complaint process and civil actions for violations through the Health and Human Services and Justice departments.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 245 to 182. The bill was earlier passed by the House, but with different legislative text related to motor vehicle safety whistleblowers; the Senate took no substantive action on the new legislation. [House Vote 443, 7/13/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/16; Congressional Actions, S. 304]
2017: DeSantis Voted For The House GOP’s 2017 Tax Reform Plan Which Significantly Cut Taxes For The Rich And Corporations And Allowed Parents To Set Up Education Savings Accounts For A Fetus. In November 2017, DeSantis voted for reconciliation legislation which significantly altered the federal tax code. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill substantially restructures the U.S. tax code to simplify the code and reduce taxes on individuals, corporations and small businesses. For individuals, it consolidates the current seven tax brackets down to four and eliminates or restricts many tax credits and deductions, including by eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes and limiting the deduction for property taxes to $10,000 and the interest deduction for a home mortgage to the first $500,000 worth of a loan. […] On the business side, it reduces the corporate tax from 35% to 20% and establishes a ‘territorial’ tax system that would exempt most income derived overseas from U.S. corporate taxation. It allows businesses to immediately expense 100% of the cost of assets acquired and placed into service, and for small businesses it raises the Section 179 expensing limit to $5 million for five years. It also establishes a 25% rate for a portion of pass-through business income that would otherwise have to be paid at the ordinary individual tax level, and for small businesses where an individual would receive less than $150,000 in pass-through income it taxes the first $75,000 of that income at a 9% rate.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 227 to 205. [House Vote 637, 11/16/17; Congressional Quarterly, 11/15/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
[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, 3/11/17; 170311_SEM_619]
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]
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]
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]
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 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]
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]
VIDEO: 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 Voted To Permanently Ban Federal Funding For Abortion Services. In January 2017, DeSantis voted for codifying the Hyde Amendment. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would permanently prohibit federal funds from being used to pay for abortion services or health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. It also would prohibit the District of Columbia from using its own local funds to provide or pay for abortions. Individuals and small businesses also could not receive tax credits under the 2010 health care law related to purchases of health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. The bill would require the Office of Personnel Management to ensure that, starting in 2018, no multistate qualified health plan offered in a state insurance exchange provides coverage that includes abortion. The provisions would not apply to pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or to situations where the woman would die unless an abortion is performed.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 238 to 183. The Senate has not yet acted on the legislation. [House Vote 65, 1/24/17; Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7]
2015: DeSantis Voted For Permanently Banning Federal Funds To Pay For Abortion Or Abortion Coverage, Forcing Insurance Companies To Display Prominently When They Cover Abortion And Provides Exception For Rape, Incest, Or to Save Mother’s Life. In January 2015, DeSantis voted for permanently banning federal funds for abortion, abortion coverage and provides exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s health in life threatening situations. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This bill permanently prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion or abortion coverage, prohibits federal medical facilities and health professionals from providing abortion services, and prohibits individuals and small businesses from receiving federal subsidies and tax credits under the 2010 health care overhaul to purchase health care plans that cover abortions. The measure provides an exception for abortions in cases of rape or incest and for saving the life of the mother. It also requires all qualified health plans that provide abortion coverage to prominently disclose that fact to enrollees at the time of enrollment, as well as to prominently display such information in any marketing or advertising materials, plan comparison tools or summaries of benefits and coverage.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill 242 to 179. The Senate has yet to take action on the measure. [House Vote 45, 1/22/15; Congressional Quarterly, 1/24/15; Congressional Quarterly, Accessed 10/1/15]
2014: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit Any Use Of Federal Funds To Pay For Abortion Except In Cases Of Rape, Incest Or To Save The Mother’s Life; Ban Would Forbid Using Affordable Care Act Subsidies To Pay For Health Insurance That Covered Abortion. In January 2014, DeSantis voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “permanently prohibit[ed] the use of federal funds, facilities or staff to provide abortion coverage and services, except in cases of rape or incest and for saving the life of the mother.” The House passed by a vote of 227 to 188; as of the end of February, 2014, the Senate had taken no substantive action on the measure. [House Vote 30, 1/28/14; Congressional Quarterly, 1/28/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing Federal Employees’ Health Plans To Cover Any Aspect Of Abortion. In July 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike[n] a section of the bill that would [have] prohibit[ed] funds from being used to pay for an abortion or administrative expenses in connection with any health plan under the federal employees health benefits program which provides benefits or coverage for abortions.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 financial services appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 177 to 245. The House later passed the underlying bill, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 364, 7/6/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/6/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1233; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5485]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing The NIH To Use Funds On Abortion Related Experiments. In July 2015, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “strike[n] language that applies any policy riders included in annual Labor-HHS-Education and Agriculture appropriations bills to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funds provided by the bill.” The underlying legislation was the 21st Century Cures Act. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 176 to 245. [House Vote 432, 7/10/15; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/15; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 658; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6]
DeSantis Was A Co-Sponsor Of A Bill That Would Provide Protections For Fetuses “Born Alive” During Abortion Procedures. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Both candidates oppose abortion, with Putnam telling the council members that he would support a “heartbeat bill,” which would prohibit doctors from performing abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Iowa’s Republican governor signed such a bill Friday, setting up a legal fight that supporters hope could lead to a test of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. [… ] DeSantis, a three-term congressman from Palm Coast, was not asked directly about abortion legislation, but he is a co-sponsor of a bill that would provide protections for fetuses “born alive” during abortion procedures. He recounted seeing an ultrasound of his son, who was born this year, calling it “a powerful example of science reinforcing something that I believe.” [Orlando Sentinel, 5/6/18]
[Video] 2017: DeSantis Said Assistance Should Be Provided “If A Child Survives A Late Term Abortion Attempt.” “Q: women's health and Republican men? DeSantis: support women's health. Wife had baby. Against funds for abortion. If child survives a late term abortion attempt, assistance to them.” [Discussion with DeSantis Daytona, 3/11/2017; 170311_SEM_619]
2018: DeSantis Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Which Required Health Care Workers Care For An Infant Born Instead Of Aborted Resultant From A Failed Abortion. In January 2018, DeSantis voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] health care practitioners to provide care to an infant born alive during a failed abortion that is equivalent to the care they would provide to any other infant born at the same gestational age. It would [have] impose[d] criminal fines, and penalties of up to five years in prison, for failure to do so, and would provide for a patient in such circumstances to file a lawsuit against the health care provider for certain monetary and punitive damages. The bill would [have] require[d] hospital and clinic practitioners and employees to report any knowledge of failures to provide such care to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement agency, and would [have] permit[ted] prosecution of individuals who fail to do so.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 183. [House Vote 36, 1/19/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/19/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4712]
2015: DeSantis Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. In September 2015, DeSantis voted for a bill that would have imposed criminal penalties on doctors who do not give appropriate care to an infant born during an abortion. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “require[d] health care practitioners to give the same level of care to an infant born alive during a failed abortion as they would give to any other infant born at the same gestational age. The bill also would [have] require[d] health care practitioners to ensure that these infants are immediately sent to a hospital. Health care practitioners and hospital and abortion clinic employees who know about a violation would be required to report the failure to comply with these requirements to law enforcement. People who violate these requirements regarding level of care and reporting violations would be subject to criminal fines or up to five years in prison, or both. The bill would prohibit the prosecution of mothers of born-alive infants for either conspiracy to violate born-alive protections or as accessory to the crime. The bill also would allow mothers to file lawsuits against health care providers who fail to appropriately care for born-alive infants from failed abortions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 248 to 177. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 506, 9/18/15; Congressional Quarterly, 9/18/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3504]
DeSantis Deflected When Asked About Addressing Abortion In The Property Insurance Special Session And Implied There Was No Rush To Legislate On Abortion. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “Asked again Wednesday whether he is considering addressing abortion in an upcoming special session, the governor again deflected. DeSantis called a special session later this month to address property insurance concerns. It comes on the heels of a special session last month on redistricting. Responding to the abortion question Wednesday during an appearance in Clearwater, DeSantis noted that Florida's property insurance market is in crisis. ‘The property insurance, the reason we called a special session is because it's reached a crisis point... we felt we had to do it, just like we had to do the congressional districts. We had no choice, we had to do it,’ DeSantis said, implying that there isn't the same urgent need to tackle abortion legislation.” [Tallahassee Democrat, 5/4/22]
Orlando Democrat Rep. Anna Eskamani Stated “It’s Clear To Me That Florida Republicans, Including Gov. Ron DeSantis, Are Super Awkward And Uncomfortable Talking About An All-Out Ban.” According to the Florida Phoenix, “During a virtual press conference on looming threats to abortion access, Orlando Democrat Rep. Anna Eskamani said Gov. Ron DeSantis is ‘scared’ to indicate whether he would support an all-out abortion ban if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade case. ‘I wouldn’t say we’re fearful, we don’t operate in a place of fear. We operate on a place of endurance and resilience. We absolutely expect there to be an all-out ban on abortions, whether it’s going to be during a special session, or in the general regular session. Now I will say that Governor Ron DeSantis is scared,’ Eskamani said during questions Tuesday at the virtual press conference hosted by the Florida Democratic Party. She added: ‘It’s clear to me that Florida Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, are super awkward and uncomfortable talking about an all-out ban. They want to avoid it as much as possible, because they know the second they commit to it, it will wake up voters across the state of Florida and that is not what they want to do before a November election year.’” [Florida Phoenix, 5/10/22]
DeSantis Refused To Answer Questions About An Abortion Ban Directly. According to the Florida Phoenix, “This is not the first time that reporters have asked about DeSantis’ stance on the potential for overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade case. But DeSantis has not answered questions directly on the issue. However, he has focused on the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion indicating that the high court will overturn the right for pregnant people to access abortions. And DeSantis has said he is awaiting the final ruling connected to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi. DeSantis is considered a potential presidential contender and is currently running for reelection in the gubernatorial race this year. He recently signed legislation that implements a ban on abortions after 15-weeks of pregnancy, starting July 1.” [Florida Phoenix, 5/10/22]
DeSantis’ Spokesperson Christina Pushaw Said, “We Are Not Going To Respond To Rep. Eskamani’s Comments.” According to the Florida Phoenix, “DeSantis’ spokesperson, Christina Pushaw said, ‘We are not going to respond to Rep. Eskamani’s comments.’” [Florida Phoenix, 5/10/22]