The Associated Press: on Abortion


Morgan McGarvey: Allow abortion restrictions based on sex, race, disability

Prohibit an abortion if the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of an unborn child's sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Analysis by ACLU / Associated Press: In asking a judge to block the new Kentucky law, the ACLU argued that it removes a woman's right to an abortion if the state "disapproves of her reason" for the procedure. The suit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU's challenge is part of a broader lawsuit also challenging another new Kentucky law that would mostly ban abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected--as early as six weeks into pregnancy. ACLU attorneys said the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90% of abortions in Kentucky.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 67-25-8 on Feb/26/19; Passed Senate 32-4-1 on Mar/13/19; Senate Minority Leader McGarvey voted YES; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Mar/19/19.

Source: A.P. on ACLU analysis of Kentucky voting records HB5 Mar 13, 2019

ACLU: Oppose abortion restrictions based on sex, race, disability

Prohibit an abortion if the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of an unborn child's sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Analysis by ACLU / Associated Press: In asking a judge to block the new Kentucky law, the ACLU argued that it removes a woman's right to an abortion if the state "disapproves of her reason" for the procedure. The suit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU's challenge is part of a broader lawsuit also challenging another new Kentucky law that would mostly ban abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected--as early as six weeks into pregnancy. ACLU attorneys said the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90% of abortions in Kentucky.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 67-25-8 on Feb/26/19; Passed Senate 32-4-1 on Mar/13/19; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Mar/19/19.

Source: A.P. on ACLU analysis of Kentucky voting records HB5 Mar 19, 2019

Billie Sutton: Moderate with pro-gun and pro-life stances

In the weeks since Billie Sutton came closer to the governor's office than any Democrat in decades, Sutton wrote in one post-election pitch that he wasn't just building a campaign but a movement--one that will "keep going and keep fighting for our shared priorities." Sutton told The Associated Press this week, "Even when you lose a race like this, that fire doesn't die out," Sutton said.

Sutton cast himself as a moderate, with pro-gun and anti-abortion stances that made him palatable to many Republican voters, to push Kristi Noem hard to the finish.

His unusual life story--a former rodeo cowboy who turned to politics after a paralyzing injury--brought him added attention, and he lost to Gov.-elect Noem by 3.4 percentage points in November. After months of campaigning, Sutton returned to work full-time at a bank in Burke. He said he's enjoying spending time with his family and watching the National Finals Rodeo.

Source: A.P. / Rapid City Journal on 2022 South Dakota Governor race Dec 14, 2018

Billie Sutton: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary:Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now:"Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News:Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; State Sen. Sutton voted YES; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 6, 2018

Billie Sutton: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary:Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now:"Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News:Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; State Sen. Sutton voted YES; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 6, 2018

Bruce Westerman: No abortion after 12 weeks when fetus is "pain-capable"

HB1037: An Act to Create the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and to Declare an Emergency:

Planned Parenthood case for voting NO: Planned Parenthood Action Fund today urged Governor Mike Beebe to veto the most restrictive ban on safe and legal abortion in the country. The blatantly unconstitutional 12-week abortion ban signals that 2013 may be even worse than the record breaking years of 2011 and 2012 for state legislation that limits women's access to health care.

A.P. summary of Veto Message: Beebe said he vetoed the ban, which is based on the disputed belief that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, because it runs afoul of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion until the point where fetuses can survive outside the womb, usually at 22 to 24 weeks.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 75-20-5 on 2/4/13; Rep. Westerman co-sponsored & voted YES; Passed Senate 25-7-3 on 2/18; Vetoed on 2/26 (Veto overridden)

Source: A.P. on Arkansas legislative voting records HB1037 Feb 4, 2015

Charles Booker: Oppose abortion restrictions based on sex, race, disability

Prohibit an abortion if the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of an unborn child's sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Analysis by ACLU / Associated Press: In asking a judge to block the new Kentucky law, the ACLU argued that it removes a woman's right to an abortion if the state "disapproves of her reason" for the procedure. The suit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU's challenge is part of a broader lawsuit also challenging another new Kentucky law that would mostly ban abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected--as early as six weeks into pregnancy. ACLU attorneys said the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90% of abortions in Kentucky.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 67-25-8 on Feb/26/19; State Rep. Charles Booker voted NO; Passed Senate 32-4-1 on Mar/13/19; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Mar/19/19.

Source: A.P. on ACLU analysis of Kentucky voting records HB5 Feb 26, 2019

Daniel Ahlers: Oppose requiring counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary: Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now: "Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News: Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; State Rep. Daniel Ahlers voted NO; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 26, 2018

Dennis Daugaard: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary: Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now: "Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News: Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 May 7, 2018

Matt Bevin: Allow abortion restrictions based on sex, race, disability

Prohibit an abortion if the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of an unborn child's sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Analysis by ACLU / Associated Press: In asking a judge to block the new Kentucky law, the ACLU argued that it removes a woman's right to an abortion if the state "disapproves of her reason" for the procedure. The suit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU's challenge is part of a broader lawsuit also challenging another new Kentucky law that would mostly ban abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected--as early as six weeks into pregnancy. ACLU attorneys said the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90% of abortions in Kentucky.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 67-25-8 on Feb/26/19; Passed Senate 32-4-1 on Mar/13/19; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Mar/19/19.

Source: A.P. on ACLU analysis of Kentucky voting records HB5 Mar 11, 2019

Mike Beebe: Vetoed abortion ban after 12 weeks

HB1037: An Act to Create the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and to Declare an Emergency:

Planned Parenthood case for voting NO: Planned Parenthood Action Fund today urged Governor Mike Beebe to veto the most restrictive ban on safe and legal abortion in the country. The blatantly unconstitutional 12-week abortion ban signals that 2013 may be even worse than the record breaking years of 2011 and 2012 for state legislation that limits women's access to health care.

Associated Press summary of Veto Message: Beebe said he vetoed the ban, which is based on the disputed belief that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, because it runs afoul of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion until the point where fetuses can survive outside the womb, usually at 22 to 24 weeks.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 75-20-5 on Feb/4/13; Passed Senate 25-7-3 on Feb/18/13; Vetoed by Gov. Beebe on Feb/26/13 (Veto overridden)

Source: A.P. on Arkansas legislative voting records HB1037 Feb 26, 2015

Robert Goforth: Allow abortion restrictions based on sex, race, disability

Prohibit an abortion if the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of an unborn child's sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Analysis by ACLU / Associated Press: In asking a judge to block the new Kentucky law, the ACLU argued that it removes a woman's right to an abortion if the state "disapproves of her reason" for the procedure. The suit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU's challenge is part of a broader lawsuit also challenging another new Kentucky law that would mostly ban abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected--as early as six weeks into pregnancy. ACLU attorneys said the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90% of abortions in Kentucky.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 67-25-8 on Feb/26/19; State Rep. Robert Goforth voted YES; Passed Senate 32-4-1 on Mar/13/19; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Mar/19/19.

Source: A.P. on ACLU analysis of Kentucky voting records HB5 Feb 26, 2019

Rocky Adkins: Oppose abortion restrictions based on sex, race, disability

Prohibit an abortion if the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of an unborn child's sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.

Analysis by ACLU / Associated Press: In asking a judge to block the new Kentucky law, the ACLU argued that it removes a woman's right to an abortion if the state "disapproves of her reason" for the procedure. The suit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, the only abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU's challenge is part of a broader lawsuit also challenging another new Kentucky law that would mostly ban abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected--as early as six weeks into pregnancy. ACLU attorneys said the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90% of abortions in Kentucky.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 67-25-8 on Feb/26/19; Kentucky House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins voted NO; Passed Senate 32-4-1 on Mar/13/19; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Mar/19/19.

Source: A.P. on ACLU analysis of Kentucky voting records HB5 Feb 26, 2019

Steven Haugaard: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary: Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now: "Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News: Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; Steven Haugaard voted YES; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 6, 2018

Jamie R. Smith: Oppose requiring counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary:Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now: "Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News:Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; State Rep. Jamie Smith voted NO; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 26, 2018

Donald Trump: FactCheck: No, Virginia doesn't allow abortion after birth

Trump said "the previous governor of West Virginia said the baby will be born and we will decide what to do with the baby. In other words, we'll execute the baby." Is that true? No, according to the AP report on 4/11/24:

CLAIM: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam during a 2019 radio interview spoke in support of infanticide, or "after-birth abortions."

AP'S ASSESSMENT: False. Northam was giving a hypothetical example of what could happen if a mother, whose fetus wasn't otherwise viable, requested an abortion while in labor. His comments came in response to a question about whether he supported state legislation that would have loosened restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy.

THE FACTS: Social media users are misrepresenting comments Northam made: "The infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, the infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother."

Source: A.P. FactCheck on 2024 Presidential debate in Philadelphia Sep 10, 2024

Ralph Northam: FactCheck: 2019 interview did not support infanticide

Trump said "the previous governor of West Virginia said the baby will be born and we will decide what to do with the baby. In other words, we'll execute the baby." Is that true? No, according to the AP report on 4/11/24:

CLAIM: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam during a 2019 radio interview spoke in support of infanticide, or "after-birth abortions."

AP'S ASSESSMENT: False. Northam was giving a hypothetical example of what could happen if a mother, whose fetus wasn't otherwise viable, requested an abortion while in labor. His comments came in response to a question about whether he supported state legislation that would have loosened restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy.

THE FACTS: Social media users are misrepresenting comments Northam made: "The infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, the infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother."

Source: A.P. FactCheck on 2024 Presidential debate in Philadelphia Apr 11, 2024

  • The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press in other publications.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2024 Presidential contenders on Abortion:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024