¶ Zinke Was Anti-Choice
¶ Zinke Was Anti-Choice And Celebrated The Supreme Court’s Overturn Of Roe
Zinke Was Anti-Choice And Supported Congress Legislating On The Issue Of Abortion. According to press release from Rep. Zinke, “‘I believe in the sanctity of life, and I believe Congress has a responsibility to give a voice to those who are voiceless,’ said Zinke.” [Press Release - Rep. Zinke, 5/14/15]
¶ Zinke Celebrated The Supreme Court Overturning Roe
Zinke Stated That He Agreed With The Draft Opinion Leaked From The Supreme Court “That There Is No Constitutional Right To Murder An Unborn Child.” According to Montana Free Press, “I agree with the draft opinion leaked from the Supreme Court that there is no constitutional right to murder an unborn child.” [Montana Free Press, 9/1/22]
Zinke Celebrated The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade. Zinke tweeted, “I applaud the courage of the Supreme Court in its decision that there is no constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is a victory for life, the integrity of the Constitution, and our American values.” [Twitter, @RyanZinke, 6/24/22]
¶ During His 2014 Congressional Campaign, Zinke Received An Endorsement From The National Right To Life Committee
Zinke Celebrated His Endorsement From The National Right To Life Committee During His 2014 Congressional Campaign. Zinke tweeted, “I'm thankful for the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee. I will continue to focus on protecting Montana values #mtal #mtpol” [Twitter, @RyanZinke, 9/18/14]
¶ Zinke Supported An Abortion Ban At 20 Weeks Gestation
Zinke Co-Sponsored Legislation That Banned Elective Abortion After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy. According to press release from Rep. Zinke, “Today, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to protect innocent life by approving legislation that would outlaw elective abortions after five months. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), which Congressman Ryan Zinke co-sponsored, passed the House 242-184.” [Press Release - Rep. Zinke, 5/14/15]
¶ ZInke Sought To Defund Planned Parenthood
¶ 2016: Zinke Voted For A Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood
2016: Zinke Voted For A Bill That Defunded Planned Parenthood. In January 2016, Zinke voted for a bill that according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “scrap[ed] in 2018 the law's Medicaid expansion, as well as subsidies to help individuals buy coverage through the insurance exchanges.” Additionally, according to Congressional Quarterly the bill would have “repeal[ed] portions of the 2010 health care law and block[ed] federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. As amended, the bill would zero-out the law’s penalties for noncompliance with the law’s requirements for most individuals to obtain health coverage and employers to offer health insurance.” The vote was on a motion to concur with the Senate amendment, which indicated final passage. The House approved the bill by a vote of 240 to 181. The Senate had already passed the measure. President Obama vetoed the legislation, which the House failed to override. [House Vote 6, 1/8/16; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Real Clear Politics, 12/4/15; NBC News, 1/8/15; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3762]
- November 27, 2015: Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Attacked. According to the New York Times, “A gun battle erupted inside a Planned Parenthood center here on Friday when a man armed with an assault-style rifle opened fire and began shooting at officers as they rushed to the scene. The authorities reported that three people were killed, a police officer and two civilians, and nine were wounded before the suspect finally surrendered more than five hours after the first shots were fired. A police official in Colorado Springs identified the man in custody as Robert Lewis Dear.” [New York Times, 11/27/15]
- Prior To The Vote, Planned Parenthood Had Come Under Scrutiny Over A Series Of Videos That Appears To Show Planned Parenthood Discussing The Price Of Selling Fetal Tissue For Medical Research. According to The Hill, “Republicans fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward with the legislation, which was fast-tracked to the floor after the release of undercover videos that show Planned Parenthood officials discussing fetal tissue from abortion. […] The Planned Parenthood debate was stirred by a series of undercover videos that show officials with the group discussing the price of fetal tissue for medical research. While Planned Parenthood notes the officials are discussing compensation for the sales rather than profit, the videos have put the group on the defensive and prompted it to hire a crisis communications firm. [The Hill, 8/3/15]