Gretchen Whitmer on Abortion

	Gretchen Whitmer on Abortion

Repeal 1931 state law banning most abortions

SB2: The passage of Proposal 22-3 which enshrined the individual right to reproductive freedom in the Michigan Constitution, invalidated State laws that conflicted with the Proposal's amendments. It was suggested that various State laws be amended or repealed to agree with the Proposal's provisions.

Associated Press summary April 5, 2023: A near-century old abortion ban that fueled one of the largest ballot drives in Michigan history was repealed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, just months after voters enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-18-0 on Mar/8/23; passed House 56-52-2 on Mar/22/23; Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Apr/11/23.

Source: Associated Press on Michigan voting record SB2 , Apr 11, 2023

Let's repeal our extreme 1931 law banning abortion

The other half of attracting and retaining young people is standing up for their freedoms. Just a few months ago, Michiganders told us that people should be able to make their own decisions about their own bodies. Let's get to work. Let's repeal our extreme 1931 law banning abortion. Let's repeal other dangerous laws prohibiting people from accessing reproductive health care or shaming them for seeking it in the first place. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature , Jan 25, 2023

Vote yes on Proposal 3 to protect Roe v. Wade rights

Whitmer and her Republican challenger Tudor Dixon clashed on abortion rights in a debate, as Whitmer backed a referendum on ballots this fall that would amend the state constitution to guarantee abortion rights. Dixon said that referendum, if approved by voters, "would be the most radical abortion law in the entire country. The only place that has something similar is China and North Korea."

Whitmer shot back: "None of what she said is true." The two were clashing over what's known as Proposal 3, which would scrap Michigan's 1931 law banning abortion. In the wake of the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Whitmer sued to block the enforcement of the state's 1931 abortion ban, and she has backed Proposal 3.

Proposal 3's opponents say it would nullify virtually all existing guardrails. "You cannot trust her on this issue. If you want to protect Roe v. Wade rights, vote yes on 3," Whitmer said.

Source: CNN Politics on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race , Oct 25, 2022

Republicans want felony convictions of doctors and nurses

GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER (D-MI): With the current legislature that I have, there is no common ground, which is the sad thing. They've already introduced legislation to criminalize and throw nurses and doctors in jail. They've all endorsed the 1931 law, as has all of the Republican people running for governor. They want abortion to be a felony, no exceptions for rape or incest. That's the kind of legislature that I'm working with. That's why this is such a scary moment for Michigan women and our families.

GOV. KRISTI NOEM (R-SD): I think we'll continue to have those debates on how we can support these mothers and what it means to really make sure that we're not prosecuting mothers ever in a situation like this when it comes to abortion, that it will always be focused towards those doctors who knowingly break the law to perform abortions in our state.

Source: CBS Face the Nation on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race , Jul 26, 2022

Abortion clinics deemed "essential" during pandemic shutdown

A lawsuit has been filed against Whitmer for keeping abortion clinics open as "essential" businesses during the coronavirus pandemic while sending 15 officers to shut down the speech of pro-life protesters. "While most businesses were forced to shut down as a result, the governor has refused to order abortion centers in Michigan to close even though abortion is an elective procedure," the legal team explained. Source: WorldNetDaily on 2022 Michigan Governor race , Apr 5, 2020

End 24-hour waiting period; fund Planned Parenthood

Q: Abortion: Ban or legal? Support Michigan's 1931 pre-Roe law that criminalizes abortion?

Bill Schuette (R): Ban, except for incest, rape, & life of the mother. Enforce state prohibitions.

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Legal. End 24-hour waiting period & pre-Roe ban, protect in state law.

Q: Contraception: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally? Stance on related family planning funding?

Schuette: Yes. Views as attack on religious liberty.

Whitmer: No. "We've seen attack after attack" on reproductive healthcare. Require insurance companies to cover contraceptives. Restore low-income family planning funds.

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

Schuette: No. Joined lawsuit to prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving funding.

Whitmer): Yes. Restore funding so can provide screenings and checkups, contraception, and maternity care.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Michigan Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Will stop anti-choice legislation

Whitmer said she would work to stop anti-choice legislation and "continue to protect the investments that we make in our local public health offices-education for young people, access to birth control." Whitmer hopes Democrats take back the Michigan House but said, "if necessary, I have got the backbone of titanium to hold the line on further attacks eroding women's health care." Source: Rewire News on 2018 Michigan Governor race , Nov 1, 2017

Support Planned Parenthood

Restore funding to Planned Parenthood so that women and men have access to preventative care like screenings and checkups, contraception, and maternity care. Source: 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com , Nov 1, 2017

Spoke of being raped in opposing "rape insurance" bill

Legislators were trying to ban private insurance companies from covering abortion care, forcing women to pre-purchase extra insurance. Reproductive-rights advocates called it a "rape insurance" bill. Whitmer lambasted the bill in an address that included the story of her own rape. "It's something I've hidden for a long time," Whitmer continued. "You need to think of the girls that we're raising and what kind of a state we want to be where you would put your approval on something this extreme." Source: Slate e-zine on 2018 Michigan Governor race , Jan 5, 2017

No insurance riders to get an abortion covered

Whitmer served in the House from 2001-2006, and in the Senate from 2006-2014, where she became a frequent voice of opposition to Republican policies.

When she told her personal story of being raped more than 20 years ago during a 2013 speech on the Senate floor to illustrate her opposition to a bill that would require people to buy an additional rider to their insurance to get an abortion covered, Whitmer got national attention and a stronger voice on issues surrounding women's health concerns.

Source: Lansing State Journal on 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial race , Jan 3, 2017

Don't make partial-birth abortion a criminal offense

Legislative Summary:The partial-birth abortion ban act: An individual who knowingly performs a partial-birth abortion and kills a human fetus is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 2 years, or a fine up to $50,000.00, or both. It is not a violation if, in the physician's reasonable medical judgment, a partial-birth abortion is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life. The spouse of the mother at the time of the partial-birth abortion, or either parent of the mother if the mother has not attained the age of 18, may file a civil action against the physician.

Legislative Outcome: Sen. Whitmer voted NAY; passed Senate 29-8-1, Sept. 21; passed House 75-34-0, Sept. 28; signed by Gov. Snyder, Oct. 11

Source: Michigan Legislative voting records on SB160 , Sep 21, 2011

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