State of Minnesota Archives: on Abortion

Mike Murphy: All humans, including the unborn, have inalienable rights

Jim Newberger: De-fund Planned Parenthood

Klobuchar: Yes. Signed letter to Senate leadership supporting continued funding. Voted against defunding.

Newberger: No. Supported 2016 Minnesota bill to defund Planned Parenthood.

Karin Housley: I've fought hard for our unborn

Tina Smith: Legal. Says women should "have the freedom to decide when & how to raise a family."

Karin Housley: Ban. Says "I've fought hard. for our unborn." Has 100% rating from MN Citizens Concerned for Life.

Jeff Johnson: Heartbeat bill: ban abortions at about 6 weeks of pregnancy

Jeff Johnson (R): Ban. Believes in the sanctity of human life from conception. Wants a "heartbeat bill," banning abortions at about 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Tim Walz (D): Legal. Believes in a woman's right to choose, & will continue this support as Governor.

Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion health care?

Johnson: Unknown.

Walz: Yes. Voted against defunding Planned Parenthood.

Tim Walz: Maintain funding for Planned Parenthood

Jeff Johnson (R): Ban. Believes in the sanctity of human life from conception. Wants a "heartbeat bill," banning abortions at about 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Tim Walz (D): Legal. Believes in a woman's right to choose, & will continue this support as Governor.

Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion health care?

Johnson: Unknown.

Walz: Yes. Voted against defunding Planned Parenthood.

Jeff Johnson: Pro-lifer who believes in protecting the life of the unborn

Paula Overby: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right

A: Support--Politicians are not qualified to decide if or when a mother's life support should be withdrawn from an unborn fetus. Women must have control over their own reproductive capacity. If the public has concerns about child welfare, we should invest in better prenatal services, sex education, and family planning.

Jim Newberger: Abortion is not an unrestricted right

A: Oppose.

Karin Housley: Pro-choice advocates don't represent state's everyday values

Tina Smith: Served as a Planned Parenthood executive

Rebecca Otto: Reproductive health is up to women, not government

Jim Newberger: 100% pro-life

Jim Newberger: Require that doctor be in room when taking RU-486

Mark Dayton: Vetoed exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Michelle Fischbach: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; State Sen. Michelle Fischbach co-sponsored the bill; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/10/17

Scott Jensen: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood:˙This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message:˙House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome:˙Passed House 79-53-0 on April 24, 2017; Passed Senate 38-7 on May 4; State Senator Scott Jensen voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May 10

Tina Liebling: No government infringement of decision to reproduce

Erin Murphy: Oppose exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Erin Murphy voted NO; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Ilhan Omar: Oppose exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Ilhan Omar voted NO; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Matt Dean: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Matt Dean co-sponsored the bill and voted YES; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/10/17

Tina Liebling: Oppose exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Tina Liebling voted NO; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Jason Lewis: Allow pro-life state laws under 10th Amendment

The genius of federalism is a system of government that accounts for the diversity of human beings by allowing the states to compete for the governed. Instead, Washington has nationalized the economy (especially healthcare and energy) and usurped the states' ability to settle disputes between citizens of the same state. Activist federal courts have been striking down duly enacted state laws governing abortion, marriage, education--even local transportation and housing. This is backwards and has taken from state legislatures the power of self-government under the 10th Amendment.

Tina Smith: Vice president of Planned Parenthood of MN/SD/ND

In the early 1990s, she started volunteering in Minneapolis DFL politics, cutting her teeth on local campaigns. She eventually became vice president of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota before serving four years as Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's chief of staff, leaving that role to manage his 2010 gubernatorial campaign. After Rybak failed to win the DFL endorsement for governor that year, Smith took a brief sabbatical from politics.

Mike McFadden: Make contraceptives available without a prescription

The ad followed similar remarks by Ed Gillespie, a Republican running for Senate in Virginia, and Mike McFadden, who is challenging Sen. Al Franken (D-MN). "It probably defangs this increasingly concerted effort by the political left to caricature male Republican politicians as anti-woman, anti-birth control, anti-rainbows and sunshine," said a Republican pollster who specializes in women voters.

Erin Murphy: Fight Hobby Lobby: cover all FDA-approved contraception

The Contraception Health Equity and Employee Rights (CHEER) Act would require employer health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods and procedures. The proposal includes an exemption for non-profit religious employers.

"Women have the right to make their own health care decisions without interference by their boss. Women shouldn't be discriminated against for their personal health care decisions, including whether and when to use contraception," said Erin Murphy. "The Supreme Court's misguided ruling and inaction in Congress means that we need a state legislature that will step up for basic health care equity for Minnesota women."

Jim Abeler: Human life begins at conception

Abeler: Strongly Agree

Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?

Abeler: To protect the life of the mother.

Mike McFadden: Anti-abortion and pro-guns

McFadden and his partners built a business while Abeler and Ortman were serving in the Legislature. Although Abeler and Ortman have been high-profile legislators, McFadden is lesser known to the general public.

Mark Dayton: Vetoed licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Mark Dayton: No additional license requirements for abortion clinics

• A clinic or health center in which the pregnancies of ten or more women are willfully terminated each month shall be licensed by the commissioner of health.
• The operation of such a facility without obtaining a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300.
• Comprehensive inspections, with no notice required, shall occur up to two times per year.
• The annual license fee is $3,712.

Excerpts from Veto Letter:I am returning SF1921, because this bill would impose extensive new licensure requirements on [abortion] clinics. The bill is vague in its definition of potential licensure violations, and could permit complaints to be filed for almost any reason. There are approximately 1,250 clinics in Minnesota already subjected to significant state and federal oversight.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 43-23-1, April 18; passed House 80-47-6, April 20; vetoed by Gov. Dayton, April 26

Erin Murphy: No additional license requirements for abortion clinics

• A clinic or health center in which the pregnancies of ten or more women are willfully terminated each month shall be licensed by the commissioner of health.
• The operation of such a facility without obtaining a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300.
• Comprehensive inspections, with no notice required, shall occur up to two times per year.
• The annual license fee is $3,712.

Excerpts from Veto Letter:I am returning SF1921, because this bill would impose extensive new licensure requirements on [abortion] clinics. The bill is vague in its definition of potential licensure violations, and could permit complaints to be filed for almost any reason. There are approximately 1,250 clinics in Minnesota already subjected to significant state and federal oversight.

Legislative Outcome: Rep. Murphy voted NAY; passed Senate 43-23-1, April 18; passed House 80-47-6, April 20; vetoed April 26

Jim Abeler: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Kurt Bills: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Matt Dean: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Matt Dean: Voted YES on additional requirements for abortion clinics

• A clinic or health center in which the pregnancies of ten or more women are willfully terminated each month shall be licensed by the commissioner of health.
• The operation of such a facility without obtaining a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300.
• Comprehensive inspections, with no notice required, shall occur up to two times per year.
• The annual license fee is $3,712.

Excerpts from Veto Letter:I am returning SF1921, because this bill would impose extensive new licensure requirements on [abortion] clinics. The bill is vague in its definition of potential licensure violations, and could permit complaints to be filed for almost any reason. There are approximately 1,250 clinics in Minnesota already subjected to significant state and federal oversight.

Legislative Outcome: Rep. Matt Dean voted YEA; passed Senate 43-23-1, April 18; passed House 80-47-6, April 20; vetoed April 26

Michelle Fischbach: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.