Jeff Merkley on Abortion

Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House

100 percent ratings from NARAL and Planned Parenthood

Merkley has received 100 percent ratings from both NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon for his work in the Oregon State Legislature. Merkley believes that women's reproductive choices should be made between them and their doctor--not politicians and special interests. Source: Campaign website, www.JeffMerkley.com, "Issues" Jul 12, 2008

Led the fight to pass the Access to Birth Control Act

In 2007, Jeff led the fight in Oregon to pass the "Access to Birth Control Act." The bill required health insurance plans to cover birth control and required hospitals to offer emergency contraceptives to women who seek emergency room treatment after a sexual assault. In the US Senate, Merkley will always protect a woman's right to choose and fight to create "buffer zones" that would require protestors to stay at least 15 feet away from abortion clinic doors and driveways. Source: Campaign website, www.JeffMerkley.com, "Issues" Jul 12, 2008

Public funding for stem cell research

Establishes Human Stem Cell Research Committee.
Requires committee to develop guidelines for research involving derivation or use of human stem cells.
Establishes Human Stem Cell Research Grant Fund.
Authorizes committee to seek private and public contributions for purpose of funding research grants from fund.
Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Department of Human Services for purposes of Act.
Imposes penalties for failure to obtain written informed consent from donor prior to donation and use of human egg or sperm cell for research.
Directs committee to study nature of informed consent provided and to make recommendations to Governor & Legislative Assembly.

Source: Oregon State Legislative Voting Records Jun 21, 2007

Abortions should always be legally available

Abortions should always be legally available.
Support "buffer zones" by requiring demonstrators to stay at least 15 feet away from abortion clinic doorways and driveways.

Source: Oregon State 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion. Click here for a profile of Jeff Merkley. Click here for SenateMatch answers by Jeff Merkley. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Abortion in The Forum. Click here for a summary of Jeff Merkley's positions on all issues. Click here for issue positions of other OR politicians.
*Other candidates on Abortion:*		*Jeff Merkley on other issues:*
*OR Gubernatorial:* Ted Kulongoski *OR Senatorial:* Dave Brownlow Gordon Harold Smith Ron Wyden *2008 Senate retirements:* Wayne Allard(R,CO) Larry Craig(R,ID) Pete Domenici(R,NM) Chuck Hagel(R,NE) Trent Lott(R,MS) Craig Thomas(R,WY) John Warner(R,VA) *2008 Presidential Contenders:* Chuck Baldwin(C) Rep.Bob Barr(L) Sen.Hillary Clinton(D) Sen.Mike Gravel(L) Alan Keyes(C) Sen.John McCain(R) Rep.Cynthia McKinney(G) Ralph Nader(I) Sen.Barack Obama(D) Rep.Ron Paul(R)	*2008 Senate Races:* AK:Stevens v.Begich v.Cuddy v.Sikma AL:Sessions v.Figures AR:Pryor v.Kennedy CO:Schaffer v.Udall DE:Biden v.O`Donnell GA:Chambliss v.Martin v.Buckley IA:Harkin v.Reed ID:Risch v.LaRocco v.Rammell IL:Durbin v.Sauerberg v.Stafford KS:Roberts v.Jones v.Slattery KY:McConnell v.Lunsford LA:Landrieu v.Kennedy MA:Kerry v.O`Reilly v.Beatty v.Underwood ME:Collins v.Allen MI:Levin v.Hoogendyk MN:Coleman v.Franken v.Barkely v.Cavlan MS4:Wicker v.Musgrove MS6:Cochran v.Fleming MT:Baucus v.Kelleher NC:Dole v.Hagan NE:Johanns v.Kleeb v.Larrick NH:Sununu v.Shaheen v.Blevens NJ:Lautenberg v.Zimmer Pearce v.Udall OK:Inhofe v.Rice OR:Smith v.Merkley v.Brownlow RI:Reed v.Young v.Tingle SC:Graham v.Conley v.McBride SD:Johnson v.Dykstra TN:Alexander v.Tuke v.Lugo v.Heyward TX:Cornyn v.Noriega v.Jameson VA:Gilmore v.Warner WV:Rockefeller v.Wolfe WY4:Barrasso v.Carter v.Goodenough WY6:Enzi v.Rothfuss	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators House of Representatives SenateMatch (matching quiz) Senate Votes (analysis) House Votes Bill Sponsorships Affiliations Policy Reports Group Ratings

Page last updated: Aug 15, 2008