State of New York Archives: on Abortion

John Katko: No abortion on demand; no federal funding

John's opponent supports abortion on demand. John does not. And John is opposed to federal funding of abortions.

Lee Zeldin: Value life & alternatives to parenthood

John Katko: All life has worth; and cover prenatal care

A: Pro-life. I believe that all life has worth, every individual has potential, and every child deserves opportunity. My opponent supports abortion on demand. I do not. And I am opposed to federal funding of abortions.

At the same time, I know the importance of comprehensive preventative and prenatal care for women, and my wife Robin is a registered nurse currently working in women's healthcare in Central New York. As our Member of Congress, I will ensure that full coverage of maternity care is included in whatever new health care reform is advanced.

Rob Astorino: Opposes abortion, except for rape, incest & maternal life

But Astorino, in his capacity as a county official, hasn't had many chances to take action on abortion-related issues while he's been in office. Astorino, a practicing Catholic, has previously said he opposes abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or if a woman's life is in danger. In previous elections he's also taken pains to avoid discussing the subject, pivoting toward discussions of the economy or taxes, and calling the issue "hyper-partisan" and "divisive."

Rob Astorino: Philosophically opposed, but won't fight legal abortion

When asked to clarify whether or not he would specifically seek to curtail funding for abortions, Astorino said no. "Abortion in this state has been legal for 44 years," he said. "Legal abortion in New York is "not going anywhere."

Asked whether he philosophically opposes spending state money on abortions, Astorino said yes, but wouldn't say whether he'd seek to cut such spending. Astorino did not state the parameters of his own position on abortion, but said he opposes Cuomo's Women's Equality Act, which would allow for increased access to third-trimester abortions. Astorino equated the bill to legalizing "infanticide."

Kirsten Gillibrand: Majority of women use contraception; it's not "evil"

Gillibrand shot back that the overwhelming majority of women use some type of contraception. "To say that's evil shows a disregard for the ability of a woman to make that personal life and death decision about her own body and her family," she said.

Kirsten Gillibrand: Let women make life-and-death decision about own body

Gillibrand countered that there is a movement to undermine women's basic rights. "To say that's evil shows disregard for the ability of a woman to make that personal life-and-death decision about her own body," Gillibrand said.

Wendy Long: Don't require churches to offer contraception to employees

Gillibrand countered that there is a movement to undermine women's basic rights. "To say that's evil shows disregard for the ability of a woman to make that personal life-and-death decision about her own body," Gillibrand said.

Kirsten Gillibrand: Require coverage of contraception, even church employees

The women also differ on a recent plan, announced by the Obama administration, to require coverage of contraception. Originally Obama mandated that all employers--including some religious hospitals that may have a moral objection--provide contraception coverage in their insurance plans. After pressure, Obama amended the regulations to require health insurers provide the coverage without employers that object to it paying.

Republicans last week attempted to pass a measure, dubbed the Blunt Amendment, which would allow employers a "conscience" exemption. Long said she would support it, and attacked Gillibrand's vigorous opposition to it.

"She supports Obama's enforcement of their view on religious institutions & people of conscience who would have a problem with it," Long said

Wendy Long: Conscience exemption: churches need not insure contraception

"She supports Obama's enforcement of their view on Catholic institutions and all religious institutions and people of conscience who would have a problem with it. I support permitting churches and people of conscience not to abrogate their conscience. I would be willing to stand up for that and vote for the Blunt Amendment and not, in any way, support what the president is doing. She is angry and annoyed with the president for considering any kind of compromise, even though it wasn't any compromise, it was just completely cosmetic. She was just annoyed that he would even consider backing off in any way," Long continued.

Wendy Long: Roe v. Wade was constitutionally flawed legal decision

Jay Townsend: Roe v. Wade should be overturned

During th YNN-NY1 debate's "lightning round," consisting of yes-or-no questions, Townsend answered that he was once arrested. He told reporters afterward that it was "an exchange of words" 10 years ago, the charge was thrown out and he was acquitted.

Hakeem Jeffries: Supports embryonic stem cell research

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?

A: Yes.

Bill Weld: Establish state pro-choice laws in case Roe gets overturned

Some states, like New York, had laws permitting abortion before Roe; but in New Hampshire, the Governor has vetoed a bill to repeal a pre-Roe criminal abortion law. A national standard, like Roe, is thus preferable to uneven state laws. Women who could afford travel could go to states where abortion is legal. The poor would wind up with the back-alley abortionist.

Ideally, women's reproductive freedom will remain America's law and policy. But failing that, people will have to look to their state governments. Governor Weld offers an admirable example.