Mike DeWine on Abortion

	Mike DeWine on Abortion Former Republican Sr Senator (OH, 1995-2007)

Deflects questions about abortion during pandemic

The issue has become a political hot potato as DeWine and Attorney General David Yost seem to have conflicting views on whose role it is to settle the issue. When Health Director Amy Acton was asked about abortions, DeWine interjected and said the issue was being addressed by "lawyers" and Yost's office. Earlier, Yost's office said whether clinics are in violation of Acton's order will be decided by the health department and, if so, the attorney general would then take legal action. Source: USA Today on 2022 Ohio gubernatorial race , Mar 25, 2020

Enacted abortion ban if fetal heartbeat detected

SB23: Prohibit abortion if detectable heartbeat: NPR Summary: One of the Ohio Statehouse's most notable moments this year was the passage of the controversial "Heartbeat Bill." The bill contains exceptions for the life of the woman, but no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, and institutes criminal and other penalties for doctors who violate the law.

OnTheIssues explanation: Fetal heartbeats can be detected at about 9 to 12 weeks gestation (by stethoscope) and potentially as early as 6 to 7 weeks gestation (by transvaginal ultrasound). Both of those timeframes are prior to the 13-week cutoff for banning abortion established by the 1973 "Roe v. Wade" Supreme Court case.

Legislative Summary: Passed House 56-40-3 on Apr/10/19; passed Senate 18-13-2 on Apr/10/19; signed by Governor Mike DeWine on Apr/11/19.

Source: WOSU 89.7 NPR News on Ohio SB23 voting records , Dec 31, 2019

Supports "fetal heartbeat" law (abortion ban after 6 weeks)

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have filed bills which would halt abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks into a pregnancy. That's often before a woman even realizes she is pregnant and would amount to an unconstitutional ban on abortions in Kentucky, said the deputy director of the ACLU..

A court struck down such a bill in North Dakota. That leaves Iowa as the only state with a fetal heartbeat bill enacted into law and that remains suspended by a pending court challenge, said the ACLU spokesperson. Should Kentucky enact such a law, the ACLU is ready to challenge it.

Several states have expressed interest in or enacted similar "fetal heartbeat" laws, most recently in Ohio where the Republican-controlled legislature approved such a law last year, only to have it vetoed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Ohio's legislature taking office in a few days will likely pass a fetal heartbeat bill in 2019--and incoming Gov. Mike DeWine has said he will sign it.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race , Jan 9, 2019

Supports heartbeat bill (no abortion after 6 weeks)

Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Richard Cordray (D): Legal. Women should have the right to make their own personal decisions.

Mike DeWine (R): Ban. Would have supported "heartbeat bill," banning abortion at 6 weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest.

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

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Will work to restore funding.

Mike DeWine (R): No. Nothing requires Ohio to support abortion providers.

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

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record.

DeWine scores 0% by NARAL on pro-choice voting record

For over thirty years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has been the political arm of the pro-choice movement and a strong advocate of reproductive freedom and choice. NARAL Pro-Choice America`s mission is to protect and preserve the right to choose while promoting policies and programs that improve women`s health and make abortion less necessary. NARAL Pro-Choice America works to educate Americans and officeholders about reproductive rights and health issues and elect pro-choice candidates at all levels of government. The NARAL ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization`s preferred position.

Source: NARAL website 03n-NARAL on Dec 31, 2003