Phil Bryant in MS legislative records
On Abortion:
Make Mississippi safest place in America for an unborn child
After a heated floor debate, the Senate passed a bill 35-14 to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, bringing the state one step closer to enacting the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. In a statement Gov. Bryant reiterated his support
for the measure."I have repeatedly said, I want Mississippi to be the safest place in America for an unborn child," Bryant said. "House Bill 1510 will help us achieve that goal, and I encourage the House to pass it and look forward to signing it.
Source: Clarion Ledger on Mississippi voting record: HB 1510
Mar 6, 2018
On Abortion:
No abortion after 15 weeks of gestation, with no exceptions
[2019 Gubernatorial candidate Robert] Foster, who is Baptist, touts his status as a "strong Christian and balanced conservative voice," and his record of supporting anti-abortion legislation is sure to endear him to evangelicals. In March, Foster was
one of the co-authors who introduced House Bill 1510, the Gestational Age Act, which prohibits abortions after 15 weeks even in the cases of rape and incest. Gov. Phil Bryant signed it into law in March, but a federal court struck it down on Nov. 20.
Source: Jackson Free Press on Mississippi voting record: HB1510
Dec 10, 2018
On Abortion:
Signed "heartbeat bill": abortion ban after 15 weeks
In March, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the "heartbeat bill" into law, banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can come as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The law does not allow exceptions for rape or incest.The law is being
challenged in federal court by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Mississippi has been in a similar position before. Last year, Bryant signed a 15-week abortion ban into law. After an emergency hearing, the law was ruled unconstitutional and blocked
from taking effect.
Of the legislation, Bryant previously said, "We think this is showing the profound respect and desire of Mississippians to protect the sanctity of that unborn life whenever possible. It also protects, we believe, the physical and
mental health of the mother. We here in Mississippi believe in protecting and defending the whole life of that child."
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 81-36-2, Feb. 13; passed Senate 34-14-4, Feb. 13.
Source: Clarion-Ledger on Mississippi voting records: HB 732
May 20, 2019
On Abortion:
Ban abortions after 15 weeks, even if rape or incest
Legislative Summary: HB1510: The Gestational Age Act; to enact definitions; to prohibit abortions after 15 weeks' gestation. Analysis by Y'all Politics blog:
The bill would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks, with only few life-threatening exceptions. Typical viability, at its earliest, is close to 23 weeks, according the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Unusual for this type of legislation, it does not include an exception for rape or incest.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 35-14-3 on Mar/6/18; Passed House 76-34-10 on Mar/18/18; Signed by Governor Phil Bryant on Mar/19/18
Source: Y'all Politics blog on Mississippi voting record HB1510
Mar 19, 2018
On Civil Rights:
Backs bill for marriage between one man and one woman
House Bill 1523 singles out 3 religious beliefs as worthy of protection: that marriage is between one man and one woman; that people should not have sex outside such marriages; and that a person's gender is set at birth. The law protects anyone who
speaks out against gay marriage or transgenders because of these beliefs. Gov. Bryant and Lt. Gov. Reeves, two of the bill's most prominent advocates, said the state should stand by its law and appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Source: Mississippi Today on Mississippi voting record: HB 1523
Jun 30, 2016
On Civil Rights:
2016: Let businesses refuse to serve LGBT people
[2019 Gubernatorial candidate Robert] Foster, who is Baptist, touts his status as a "strong Christian and balanced conservative voice," and his record of supporting anti-LGBT legislation is sure to endear him to evangelicals.
In 2016, Foster wrote in support of House Bill 1523, the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," which guarantees businesses the right to discriminate against and refuse to serve
LGBT people on the basis of personal religious beliefs about same-sex marriage and gender identity.Foster defended his support for the bill at the time, writing in
April 2016 that "dealing with discrimination is part of the price you pay to live in a free society." Later that month, Gov. Phil Bryant signed it into law.
Source: Jackson Free Press on Mississippi voting record: HB1523
Dec 10, 2018
On Foreign Policy:
Divest state contracts from any investments in Iran
Excerpts from legislation: HB 1127, the Iran Divestment Act: To Prohibit Contracting with Companies with Investments in Iran: The Mississippi Legislature finds:The illicit nuclear activities of the Government of Iran, and its support
of international terrorism, represent a serious threat to the security of the US, Israel and other allies.The UN Security Council has adopted a range of sanctions designed to encourage Iran to cease those activities.President Obama signed
HR 2194, the "Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act," which authorizes states to prevent investment in Iran.The concerns of the State of Mississippi regarding Iran are strictly the result of the actions of the Government
of Iran and should not be construed as enmity towards the Iranian peopleLegislative outcome: HB 1127 passed Senate 35-11-6, March 4; passed House 112-7, Feb. 4; signed by Gov. Bryant, April 23
Source: Mississippi legislative voting records: HB 1127
Apr 23, 2015
On Gun Control:
Protect schools from violence with active shooter drills
Unfortunately, a problem exists in our schools today that threatens children of all ages. It has become commonly known as the active shooter. To help protect our students and those who teach them, I will ask you to pass a comprehensive plan to keep
our school children safe. The recommendations come from a year-long study for effective results. If you will pass and fund the Mississippi Safe School Act, our parents, teachers and administrators will be allowed to care for our children in a safe and
protected environment.Analysis by Mississippi Today, Jan. 31:House Bill 1283 requires active shooter drills in addition to fire drills and emergency drills which already occur.
This legislation follows last year's bill, also called the Mississippi School Safety Act, that would have allowed teachers to carry guns in the classroom after specialized training--it died in the House.
Source: 2019 State of the State on Mississippi voting record HB1283
Jan 31, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Let business use religious belief to not serve LGBT people
Analysis of HB 1523 by the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: A reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide, the Mississippi bill seeks to protect by law the
belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and prevents government intervention when churches or businesses act "based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction."
The advocacy director for the Mississippi Center for Justice said HB 1523 "violates a fundamental American value and strikes at the very heart of our work towards a fairer and more just state. This law is discriminatory."
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-17-1 on Mar/30/17; Passed House 69-44-8 on Apr/1/17; Signed by Governor Phil Bryant on Apr/19/17.
Source: Clarion-Ledger on Mississippi voting record HB 1523
Apr 19, 2017
Page last updated: Sep 16, 2024