State of West Virginia Archives: on Abortion

Alex Mooney: Fight to stop federal taxpayer funding of abortion

Evan Jenkins: Life begins at conception

The National Right to Life [organization says], "This endorsement reflects your commitment to strengthening a culture of life throughout the nation and in the U.S. Congress."

Jeff Kessler: Prohibit abortions after 20 weeks

Jeff Kessler: Stem cell research ok, but not embryonic 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: Yes.

John Buckley: Protections of law apply to the unborn child

A: Oppose. I respect the sincere differences of opinion on the difficult issue of abortion. I find that there is another human being, the unborn child, from the moment of conception. Accordingly, I believe government has an obligation to the extent the protections of the law to the unborn child and I do not favor the legalization of abortion. It is not because I want to impose my "values" on anyone, but rather because every person deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Stephen Noble Smith: Guarantee access to reproductive healthcare for women

Woody Thrasher: I'm a pro-life conservative

Bill Cole: Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain

A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.
• The Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.

Veto Message:
• I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
• The bill also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
• All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
• The criminal penalties this bill imposes will impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.

Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0 on 3/8; passed House 79-17-4 on 2/25/14; vetoed by Governor. (Sen. Cole voted YEA rollcall #17).

Earl Ray Tomblin: Vetoed ban on abortion after 20 weeks

A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.
• The Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.

Veto Message:
• I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
• The bill also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
• All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
• The criminal penalties this bill imposes will impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.

Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0 on 3/8; passed House 79-17-4 on 2/25/14; vetoed by Governor.

Jeff Kessler: Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain

A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.
• The Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.

Veto Message:
• I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
• The bill also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
• All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
• The criminal penalties this bill imposes will impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.

Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0; passed House 83-15-2; vetoed by Governor. (Kessler voted YEA).

Michael Folk: Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain

A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.
• The Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.

Veto Message:
• I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
• The bill also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
• All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
• The criminal penalties this bill imposes will impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.

Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0 on 3/8; passed House 79-17-4 on 2/25/14; vetoed by Governor. (Rep. Folk voted YEA rollcall #165).

Patrick Morrisey: The first pro-life Attorney General in West Virginia history

JB McCuskey: McCuskey supported laws prohibiting abortion procedures

JB McCuskey: Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain

Veto Message:

• I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
• The bill also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
• All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
• The criminal penalties this bill imposes will impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.