Explore Candidates → Christopher Dodd on Abortion and Birth Control
Christopher Dodd on Abortion and Birth Control
"Q: You were the only senator on this stage to vote to confirm Chief Justice Roberts. Do you regret your vote? A: No. I'm disappointed terribly by the decision that he reached the other day [allowing states to outlaw partial-birth abortion], because he did something he said he wouldn't do. He said during his confirmation hearings that he would uphold precedent. That was a very important answer he gave to me. He walked away from the woman's health. For 34 years, the woman's health has been a major consideration on this issue since Roe versus Wade was first decided. And to deviate from that, to me, was a major, major setback here. I happen to believe a woman has a right to choose. I've voted that way and done that, supported that for the 26 years I've been in the US Senate. Supporting expanding adoption, children's health issues--these are things I've worked on for the last 26 years, having started the children's caucus in the US Senate, worked on children's health issues."
South Carolina 2007 Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
"Q: You were the only senator on this stage to vote to confirm Chief Justice Roberts. Do you regret your vote? A: No. I'm disappointed terribly by the decision that he reached the other day [allowing states to outlaw partial-birth abortion], because he did something he said he wouldn't do. He said during his confirmation hearings that he would uphold precedent. That was a very important answer he gave to me. He walked away from the woman's health. For 34 years, the woman's health has been a major consideration on this issue since Roe versus Wade was first decided. And to deviate from that, to me, was a major, major setback here. I happen to believe a woman has a right to choose. I've voted that way and done that, supported that for the 26 years I've been in the US Senate. Supporting expanding adoption, children's health issues--these are things I've worked on for the last 26 years, having started the children's caucus in the US Senate, worked on children's health issues."
South Carolina 2007 Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
As president, I will fight to ensure that fewer women will be faced with this decision in the first place. The fact is, a majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade, yet for too long this issue has divided our political leadership. That is why if elected, I will fight to improve access to safe, affordable and effective contraception through Title X. I will work to expand coverage of pregnant women under Medicaid and S-CHIP. And I will seek to expand the adoption tax credit. With these steps and others, we can support women and families by reducing the pressures and circumstances that too often lead to unintended pregnancies.
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives
Appropriation to expand access to preventive health care services; Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Mar 17, 2005
As president, I will fight to ensure that fewer women will be faced with this decision in the first place. The fact is, a majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade, yet for too long this issue has divided our political leadership. That is why if elected, I will fight to improve access to safe, affordable and effective contraception through Title X. I will work to expand coverage of pregnant women under Medicaid and S-CHIP. And I will seek to expand the adoption tax credit. With these steps and others, we can support women and families by reducing the pressures and circumstances that too often lead to unintended pregnancies.
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions
Partial Birth Abortion Ban; Bill S. 1692 ; vote number 1999-340 on Oct 21, 1999
Throughout my career I have believed that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare. I am deeply troubled by today's Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Partial Birth Abortion Act of 2003, a decision which will needlessly endanger women's health throughout the country. I voted against this legislation in 2003 because it did not include an exception to allow this type of medical procedure when a mother's health is at risk. In overturning long-standing Supreme Court precedent, today's decision will create uncertainty throughout the country for women and doctors on what medical procedures are legal, and will undermine their ability to decide what is most appropriate for a patient's health, free from politics. While I am disappointed by today's decision by the Supreme Court, it has renewed my pledge to continue to support a woman's right to reproductive choice.
Q: You were the only senator on this stage to vote to confirm Chief Justice Roberts. Do you regret your vote? DODD: No. I'm disappointed terribly by the decision that he reached the other day [allowing states to outlaw partial-birth abortion], because he did something he said he wouldn't do. He said during his confirmation hearings that he would uphold precedent. That was a very important answer he gave to me. He walked away from the woman's health. For 34 years, the woman's health has been a major consideration on this issue since Roe versus Wade was first decided. And to deviate from that, to me, was a major, major setback here. I happen to believe a woman has a right to choose. I've voted that way and done that, supported that for the 26 years I've been in the US Senate. Supporting expanding adoption, children's health issues--these are things I've worked on for the last 26 years, having started the children's caucus in the US Senate, worked on children's health issues.
South Carolina 2007 Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
I have always believed in a woman's right to choose. It is a decision that should be safe, legal, rare and - above all - between a woman and her doctor. For 26 years in the U.S. Senate, I have never wavered in defending a woman's right to choose - and I never will. As president, I will fight to ensure that fewer women will be faced with this decision in the first place. The fact is, a majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade, yet for too long this issue has divided our political leadership. That is why if elected, I will fight to improve access to safe, affordable and effective contraception through Title X. I will work to expand coverage of pregnant women under Medicaid and S-CHIP. And I will seek to expand the adoption tax credit. With these steps and others, we can support women and families by reducing the pressures and circumstances that too often lead to unintended pregnancies.
Q: You were the only senator on this stage to vote to confirm Chief Justice Roberts. Do you regret your vote? DODD: No. I'm disappointed terribly by the decision that he reached the other day [allowing states to outlaw partial-birth abortion], because he did something he said he wouldn't do. He said during his confirmation hearings that he would uphold precedent. That was a very important answer he gave to me. He walked away from the woman's health. For 34 years, the woman's health has been a major consideration on this issue since Roe versus Wade was first decided. And to deviate from that, to me, was a major, major setback here. I happen to believe a woman has a right to choose. I've voted that way and done that, supported that for the 26 years I've been in the US Senate. Supporting expanding adoption, children's health issues--these are things I've worked on for the last 26 years, having started the children's caucus in the US Senate, worked on children's health issues.
South Carolina 2007 Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
Throughout my career I have believed that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare. I am deeply troubled by today's Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Partial Birth Abortion Act of 2003, a decision which will needlessly endanger women's health throughout the country. I voted against this legislation in 2003 because it did not include an exception to allow this type of medical procedure when a mother's health is at risk. In overturning long-standing Supreme Court precedent, today's decision will create uncertainty throughout the country for women and doctors on what medical procedures are legal, and will undermine their ability to decide what is most appropriate for a patient's health, free from politics. While I am disappointed by today's decision by the Supreme Court, it has renewed my pledge to continue to support a woman's right to reproductive choice.
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education and contraceptives
Appropriation to expand access to preventive health care services; Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Mar 17, 2005
"I have always believed in a woman's right to choose. It is a decision that should be safe, legal, rare and - above all - between a woman and her doctor. For 26 years in the U.S. Senate, I have never wavered in defending a woman's right to choose - and I never will. As president, I will fight to ensure that fewer women will be faced with this decision in the first place. The fact is, a majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade, yet for too long this issue has divided our political leadership. That is why if elected, I will fight to improve access to safe, affordable and effective contraception through Title X. I will work to expand coverage of pregnant women under Medicaid and S-CHIP. And I will seek to expand the adoption tax credit. With these steps and others, we can support women and families by reducing the pressures and circumstances that too often lead to unintended pregnancies."
Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D.-Calif.) amendment to a foreign aid spending bill to repeal what is known as the "Mexico City Policy" passed 53-41 Thursday evening. The final bill passed 81-12 later that night. The "Mexico City Policy" forbids nongovernmental organizations from performing or promoting abortion for family planning purposes as a condition to receive U.S. federal money. The policy was originally enacted by President Ronald Reagan during the 1984 United Nations International Conference in Mexico City. It permits non-governmental organizations to provide abortion in cases of rape, incest or to preserve the life of the mother, but does not approve of abortion as method of contraception. Boxer's amendment attracted twelve cosponsors, including two Republicans senators - Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Susan Collins (Maine). Three Democratic senators campaigning for their party's nomination for president also cosponsored Boxer’s amendment: Hillary Clinton (N.Y.), Chris Dodd (Conn.) and Barack Obama (Ill.)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education and contraceptives.
Appropriation to expand access to preventive health care services; Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Mar 17, 2005
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education and contraceptives
Appropriation to expand access to preventive health care services; Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Mar 17, 2005