Phil Scott on Abortion

	Phil Scott on Abortion

Enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution

Both Scott and Siegel support a measure to enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution that will appear on the November ballot as Article 22. But while questions about abortion highlighted commonalities between the candidates, they also showcased their many differences.

Siegel argued being "pro-choice is not enough for this moment." Vermont needs updated extradition laws to protect women who come to the state to seek abortion care, she said, as well as their providers.

She also bemoaned Governor Phil Scott's administration's "wait-and-see" approach.

His retort was short: "I believe in a woman's right to choose. I believe it's between her and her health care provider. And I believe in freedom and liberty and we'll just leave it at that," he said.

Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race , Sep 16, 2022

Abortion isn't a black-and-white issue, but I'm pro-choice

I consider myself "pro-choice, but with restrictions." I do not see abortion issues as simple black-and-white decisions, however, and I'm sure that most women who have ever considered having an abortion themselves feel the same way. Because of my beliefs, I find it impossible to answer the questions in [the Planned Parenthood] survey with a simple "yes" or "no."

But I do want to let people know how I tend to approach these issues. I believe that family planning services are an essential part of our health care system. In our current economic situation, systemwide reductions in health care spending may be necessary to balance budgets, but I would not support cuts directed at family planning services.

I do support a woman's right to choose; however, I do not believe it needs to be a "blank check" in order to be effective. I do not support partial-birth abortion, because I believe there are many options available to terminate a pregnancy well before that stage of development.

Source: Planned Parenthood survey on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race , Mar 15, 2012

No taxpayer funding for abortion; but ok for family planning

I am very aware that not all Vermonters share my pro-choice views; therefore, I do not believe that abortions should be funded with taxpayer dollars. Just as important as protecting a woman's right to choose, is respecting others" right to oppose abortion for religious or personal reasons. Using public funds to support something that many people strongly disagree with is not an appropriate public policy. But I would not support cuts directed specifically and only at family planning services. Source: Planned Parenthood survey on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race , Mar 15, 2012

Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Phil Scott. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Phil Scott. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Phil Scott. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Phil Scott. Click here for issue positions of other VT politicians. Click here for VT primary archives. Click here for VT secondary archives.
*Other governors on Abortion:*			*Phil Scott on other issues:*
*VT Gubernatorial:* Brenda Siegel Esther Charlestin Peter Duval Scott Milne *VT Senatorial:* Bernie Sanders Gerald Malloy Peter Welch	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]