Joni Ernst on Abortion

Don't think Roe will be overturned

Ernst: I am proudly pro-life. I think every life has value and is worthwhile. I don't believe anyone is to be thrown away. I think the likelihood of Roe v. Wade being overturned is very minimal. I don't see that happening. But what we can do is certainly educate the public on how important life is. So again, I'm adamantly pro-life. I will stand behind that.

Protecting most vulnerable is important measure of society

Human life begins at conception

Ernst: Strongly Agree

Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?

Ernst: Yes, in the case of life of the mother.

Affordable access to contraception

Ernst responded that the amendment Braley referenced "would not do any of the things that he stated it would do. That amendment is simply a statement that I support life."

"I always stand with our women on affordable access to contraception," added Ernst, who stood on a seven-inch riser to put her at eye level with her opponent. "That's something that Congressman Braley has been trying to mislead our women voters on. I do believe in a woman's right to contraception."

Personhood amendment is a statement of pro-life principle

Ernst defended her support for a Personhood amendment to the Iowa Constitution. Braley attacked Ernst for supporting the measure in the state legislature, which he said would allow doctors to be prosecuted for terminating pregnancies. That amendment is simply a statement that I support life." She added that she supports "a woman's right to contraception."

No taxpayer funding for abortion; protect the unborn

Protect infant survivors of abortion.

S.311/H.R.962: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: Congress finds the following:

• If an abortion results in the live birth of an infant, the infant is a legal person for all purposes under the laws of the United States, and entitled to all the protections of such laws.
• (2) Any infant born alive after an abortion or within a hospital, clinic, or other facility has the same claim to the protection of the law that would arise for any newborn, or for any person who comes to a hospital, clinic, or other facility for screening and treatment or otherwise becomes a patient within its care.
• In the case of an attempted abortion that results in a child born alive, any health care practitioner present at the time the child is born alive shall exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.

Opposing argument from Rewire.com, "Born Alive Propaganda," by Calla Hales, 4/12/2019: From restrictive bans at various points of pregnancy to a proposed death penalty for seeking care, both federal and state legislators are taking aim at abortion rights. The goal? To make abortion illegal, criminalizing patients and providers in the process. One kind of bill making a recent resurgence is the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act." These bills aim to further the false narrative that abortions regularly occur immediately before or, according to the president, at the time of birth. Intentional action to end the life of an infant is already illegal. This is covered by federal and state infanticide laws. These bills do nothing but vilify physicians who provide reproductive health care.

Legislative outcome Referred to Committee in House; Senate motion to proceed rejected, 56-41-3 (60 required).