State of Montana Archives: on Abortion
Albert Olszewski:
Defend unborn children without exception
I believe in the dignity and value of all human life from conception to natural death, without exception. I have authored original legislation to protect and defend unborn children.
I have championed legislation to promote the welfare and safety of our elderly, our disabled, and our families. As your next senator, I will continue to fight for the weak and our most vulnerable.
Source: 2018 Montana Senatorial website AlForSenate.us
Oct 1, 2017
Albert Olszewski:
All human life needs to be protected
I believe in the dignity and value of all human life from conception to natural death, without exception. I have authored original legislation to protect and defend unborn children.
I have championed legislation to promote the welfare and safety of our elderly, our disabled, and our families. As your next senator, I will continue to fight for the weak and our most vulnerable.
Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us
Aug 8, 2017
Matt Rosendale:
Against abortion in all circumstances
Rosendale opposes abortion, without exception: "I support life
from conception until natural death."
Source: KPAX-8 Missoula on 2018 Montana Senate race
Jul 31, 2017
Greg Gianforte:
Founded charitable organization to protect the unborn
The Gianforte Family Foundation was established in 2006 by Greg and Susan Gianforte, in response to God's great goodness to them. Since its creation the foundation has become one of the top giving foundations in the state of Montana.
Foundation grants focus on improving education, lifting people out of poverty, protecting the unborn, and Christian outreach.
Source: 2016 Montana website GianforteFoundation.org
Feb 3, 2016
Greg Gianforte:
Supported anti-abortion campaigns through Family Foundation
Montana has attracted a small but vocal hard-right Christian coalition, which is where Gianforte, a devout Christian, fits in.
The Gianforte Family Foundation has supported anti-abortion campaigns and helped build a museum based on the creationist belief that humans and dinosaurs coexisted. In 2014, Gianforte lobbied against a nondiscrimination ordinance in Bozeman.
Source: Ozy.com on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Jan 13, 2016
Brad Johnson:
Conservative opposition to abortion
Johnson called himself a "proven vote-getter" with strong conservative positions, such as opposition to abortion, support of gun rights, support of "school choice" and opposition to expanded government,
such as Medicaid coverage for poor people.
Source: KRTV.com on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Sep 23, 2015
Steve Bullock:
Keep Title X funding for reproductive health services
Governor Steve Bullock released the following statement on the federal proposal which would eliminate Title X family planning funding: "The reproductive health of low-income women is too important to become a partisan football, which is why--unlike
Congress--Montana has removed these decisions from political fights. The move to zero out Title X funding is dangerous and puts the health and safety of Montana women at risk. It's this type of partisan gamesmanship that has Montanans so frustrated with
Washington DC."
As governor, Bullock has worked to expand access to reproductive health services for Montanans. He signed into law a measure that makes Title X funding a statutory appropriation, meaning it will not be subject to partisan fights
in the legislature. Title X funding provides individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive services, including contraception, mammograms, and other cancer screenings.
Source: 2015 Montana Governor's office press release governor.mt.gov
Jun 17, 2015
Albert Olszewski:
Voted YES that insurers have plans with and without abortion
Gov. Bullock rejected a bill by Sen.C.Smith that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave
women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies," Bullock wrote.Legislative Summary:
An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.
Governor's Veto Message: I stand
firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders.
Rep. Olszewski voted YEA on April 11, 2015; vote was 54-42-4
Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349
Apr 30, 2015
Matt Rosendale:
Rejected that insurers have plans with and without abortion
Gov. Bullock rejected a bill that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave
women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies, potentially doubling the number of insurance products, and ultimately leading to increased costs,"
Bullock wrote.Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.
Governor's Veto Message: I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 29-21-0, 4/15/15; passed Senate 54-42-4, 4/11/15
Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349
Apr 30, 2015
Steve Bullock:
Rejected that insurers have plans with and without abortion
Bullock rejected a bill by Sen. Cary Smith that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave
women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies, potentially doubling the number of insurance products, and ultimately leading to increased costs,"
Bullock wrote.Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.
Governor's Veto Message: As a father, husband, and son, I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349
Apr 30, 2015
Mark Perea:
Enforce ban on abortion services, except maybe for rape
Perea, a Catholic, does want the government to enforce a ban on abortion services. "On this issue I don't come from a religious perspective, I come from a constitutional perspective that every human being has a right to life," he said.
For Perea, life begins at conception.Perea said he does struggle with the position when the Chronicle asked about abortions in cases of rape or when carrying the child to birth jeopardized the mother's safety.
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Feb 1, 2015
Ryan Zinke:
Protect unborn victims
I believe in the value of life. I believe we must prepare our children for tomorrow with the family values of my grandparents. I believe in the value of life.
I have fought for that value. I am the only candidate to carry a right to life bill, protecting unborn victims and ensuring that all life should be protected.
Source: 2014 Montana House campaign website, RyanZinke.com
Nov 4, 2014
Amanda Curtis:
100% pro-choice voting record
NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Montana issued a statement congratulating the Montana Democratic Party for having
made "a strong choice in nominating Amanda Curtis as the next Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate." Curtis, we learn, "has a 100% pro-choice voting record with NARAL Pro-Choice Montana."
Source: LifeNews.com on 2014 Montana Senate race
Aug 20, 2014
Champ Edmunds:
Human life begins at conception
Question topic: Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.Edmunds: Strongly Agree
Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?
Edmunds: I am not sure what circumstance would justify killing a baby.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Montana Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Steve Daines:
No exceptions for rape nor incest, but no criminalization
A TV ad in Montana says Rep. Steve Daines--who opposes abortion rights--"proposed making women criminals for having an abortion." But the bill that the ad cites as evidence expressly bars "the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child."
The ad was released May 20 by Montana Sen. John Walsh's campaign. The two men differ greatly on the issue of abortion: Walsh supports abortion rights, and Daines opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest.
This ad, titled "Melissa," features a woman who says she was raped as a 14-year-old girl and feels insulted by Daines. Melissa says, "Daines sponsored a bill to make abortion illegal for victims of sexual assault. He's even proposed making women
criminals for having an abortion."
It's true that Daines "opposes abortion in all instances except life of mother," as his spokesman told us. But the ad goes too far. He has not "proposed making women criminals for having an abortion."
Source: FactCheck.org AdWatch on 2014 Montana Senate race
May 22, 2014
John Walsh:
Opposes extremism like declaring life begins at conception
Walsh called Daines an extreme opponent of abortion rights, saying he opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest and co-sponsored a bill Walsh said would ban abortion and outlaw birth-control pills. Walsh also noted Daines' support of
HR 1091, which declares that human life begins at conception and extends the rights of equal protection under the 14th Amendment to "each born and preborn human person." The bill was introduced a year ago and has seen no action in a House subcommittee.
Source: Ravalli Republic on 2014 Montana Senate race
Mar 9, 2014
John Bohlinger:
2001: Supported Fetal Protection Act & partial-birth ban
Democratic Senate candidate John Bohlinger supported some legislation to restrict abortion rights in Montana but has votes that don't match his rhetoric.Bohlinger wrote on his Facebook wall that he "consistently voted for a woman's right to choose"
while a state legislator, according to The liberal Montana blog Intelligent Disconnect. That blog argues that isn't true, pointing to a low lifetime score from the
NARAL Pro-Choice Montana group and a number of votes he took in the legislature. Bohlinger, who served as a Republican in the statehouse and alongside Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) before switching parties for this campaign, voted for
the "Fetal Protection Act" in 2001, as well as for laws to ban partial-birth abortion and for parental consent requirements for teenagers to be able to get abortions in Montana.
Source: C.Joseph in The Hill, on 2014 Montana Senate debate
Nov 12, 2013
John Bohlinger:
Supreme Court decided the issue; state cannot overturn it
[When running at the state level as a Republican], a legal complaint Bohlinger filed disputed a claim from a GOP primary opponent that he was "for abortion": "I have never stated I was for abortions.
Abortion is a poor choice, we should prevent the pregnancy or work for adoption.
The abortion question does not belong in the Montana Legislature, because the US Supreme Court has ruled that in this country, abortions are legal.
In spite of what we may personally think about the question, the Montana Legislature will not be able to overturn a Supreme Court decision," he wrote in the legal filing.
Source: C.Joseph in The Hill, on 2014 Montana Senate debate
Nov 12, 2013
Sam Rankin:
Pro-choice
Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
A: Pro-choice.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Bill McChesney:
Abortion very last option, but make that choice without fear
Q: Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy?A: Yes.
Q: Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
A: Yes.
Q: Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
A: The pro-choice / pro-life choice misnomers imply that if one is pro-choice they are not pro-life ..Nothing could be further from the truth. Although I believe that a woman should be able to make that difficult choice without fear.
Concurrently, we need to do EVERYTHING we possibly can to make that choice the "very last option". I am strongly pro-life/pro-QUALITY life.
Source: Montana State Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2010
Bill McChesney:
Supports stem cell research
Q: Do you support state funding for stem cell research?
A: Yes.
Source: Montana State Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2010
Michael Lange:
No federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
Q: Do you support federal funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines?A: No.
Q: Do you support federal funding to create lines of stem cells from new embryos?
A: No.
Source: Montana Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Ryan Zinke:
Pro-life, but decision should not be made by government
Zinke supports the following principles regarding abortion.- Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester.
- Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered.
-
Zinke adds, "I am pro-life, but believe that the difficult decision to abort a child is the providence of God and family, not government. I support streamlining the adoption process. I further support parental notification."
Source: Montana Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Ryan Zinke:
No embryonic stem cell research; no emergency contraception
Q: Do you support state funding of stem cell research?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
A: No.
Q: Do you support allowing pharmacists who conscientiously object to emergency contraception to refuse to dispense it?
A: No.
Source: Montana Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Bob Kelleher:
Abortions should always be illegal, including funding
Kelleher supports the following principles regarding abortion. - Abortions should always be illegal.
- Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
Source: Montana 2004 Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
Corey Stapleton:
Prohibit public funding & partial-birth abortion
Stapleton indicates support for the following principles concerning abortion. - Support prohibition of the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
- Support prohibition of public funding for abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
Source: 2000 Montana State National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2000
John Bohlinger:
Prohibit partial-birth abortion & funding abortion clinics
Bohlinger Indicates support of the following principles concerning abortion.- Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Prohibit the late-term abortion procedure known as "partial-birth" abortion.
- Support "buffer
zones" by requiring demonstrators to stay at least 15 feet away from abortion clinic doorways and driveways.
- Q: Should Montana government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provides abortion services?
- A: No.
Source: Montana Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Page last updated: Feb 13, 2018