Reichert Believes Strongly Women Shouldn’t Be Able to Make Their Own Reproductive Health Care Decisions, Has Long Record in Congress to Back That Up

Reichert: “I Think It [Abortion] Is Taking A Life. That’s The Way I Look At It.”

Seattle – Today, Congressman Dave Reichert voted in lockstep with the Republican caucus to defund Planned Parenthood in what looks to be the first of many attempts to defund the critical women’s health organization before the end of the 2015 fiscal year, possibly ending in a Republican government shutdown over the funding.

“Dave Reichert is completely out of sync with the people of Washington on this issue,” said Jaxon Ravens, Chairman, Washington State Democrats. “Over 100,000 Washington patients depend on Planned Parenthood and the fact that Dave Reichert is trying to take that treatment away from them is just plain wrong. Women should be able to make their own health care decisions, and it’s deeply unfortunate Dave Reichert doesn’t feel that way.”

This vote is just the latest in what seems like an endless series of attacks on women’s health from House Republicans and the Republican presidential candidates, who think scoring political points with their socially conservative base is more important than keeping the government open. The people, however, disagree with these hardball tactics. 71% of the public want the government to pass a clean spending bill.

“Shutting down the government because of Planned Parenthood would be the height of irresponsibility,” Ravens said. “Dave Reichert needs to learn from his mistakes in shutting down the government over healthcare in 2013, and come to the table to negotiate in a bipartisan manner. We need to keep the government open and Dave Reichert needs to keep his hands off women’s health care.”

This isn’t the first time Dave Reichert has voted to defund Planned Parenthood. In 2011, Reichert voted in favor of an amendment to, according to CBS News, “ban all federal funding for Planned Parenthood and to eliminate a program known as Title X, which provides aid for family planning and reproductive health.”

Background:

REICHERT: ABORTION “IS TAKING A LIFE”

Reichert: “I Think It [Abortion] Is Taking A Life. That’s The Way I Look At It.” In October 2006, The Seattle Times reported that Reichert said, “I think it [abortion] is taking a life. That’s the way I look at it.” [The Seattle Times, 10/28/06]

Reichert: “My Religious Belief Is That Life Begins At Conception.” In October 2008, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported, “When asked how Congress should react if the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion is overturned in the U.S. Supreme Court…Reichert said, ‘My religious belief is that life begins at conception.’” [The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/08/08]

“AN ANTI-ABORTION STALWART”

The Seattle Times Described Reichert As “An Anti-Abortion Stalwart.” In 2011, The Seattle Times described Reichert as, “an anti-abortion stalwart.” [The Seattle Times, 4/07/11]

REICHERT VOTED TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD & ELIMINATE THE TITLE X FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM

Reichert Voted To Ban All Federal Funding For Planned Parenthood & Eliminate Title X Family Planning Program. In 2011, Reichert voted in favor of an amendment to, according to CBS News, “ban all federal funding for Planned Parenthood and to eliminate a program known as Title X, which provides aid for family planning and reproductive health.” The amendment passed 240 to 185. [Vote 93, 2/18/11; CBS News, 2/18/11]

2013: REICHERT VOTED TO SHUTDOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER OBAMACARE

Reichert Joined Republican Leadership In Voting To Shutdown The Federal Government Over Obamacare In 2013. In October 2013, during a partial federal government shutdown, The Seattle Times reported, “The GOP’s resolve on linking government financing to defunding or changing Obamacare – officially known as the Affordable Care Act – has been pushed by House leadership…Reichert has voted with House leadership and joined them in blaming Democrats for repeatedly blocking the House spending bills.” [The Seattle Times, 10/12/13] 

REICHERT VOTED TO BAN ABORTIONS AFTER 20 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

Reichert Voted For A 20-Week Abortion Ban. In 2015, Reichert voted in favor of a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. According to CBS News, “House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, called the bill ‘the most pro-life legislation to ever come before this body.’” The legislation passed 242-184. [Vote 223, 5/13/15; CBS News, 5/13/15]

REICHERT VOTED TO BAN INSURANCE POLICIES THAT COVER ABORTION FROM OBAMACARE’S MARKETPLACES

Reichert Voted To Ban Subsidized Insurance Policies That Cover Abortion From The Affordable Care Act’s State & Federal Marketplaces. In 2015, The Seattle Times reported, “By a vote of 242 to 179, the House on Jan. 22 passed a Republican-sponsored bill (HR 7) that would ban taxpayer-subsidized insurance policies that cover abortion from the Affordable Care Act’s state and federal marketplaces. The bill would prohibit any use of federal funds or tax credits to subsidize premiums for such policies. Opponents called those provisions unnecessary because the ACA already requires policyholders to pay the portion of their insurance premium that reflects coverage of reproductive services.” Reichert voted in favor of the bill. [The Seattle Times, 1/25/15]

REICHERT HAS VOTED TO DENY WOMEN IN THE MILITARY THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE

Reichert Supported A Ban On Abortions At Overseas Military Bases. In October 2006, The Seattle Times reported, “In the past two years, Reichert has voted to uphold a ban on abortions at overseas military bases.” [The Seattle Times, 10/28/06]

REICHERT SUPPORTED ALLOWING EMPLOYERS TO DENY WOMEN BIRTH CONTROL COVERAGE FOR MORAL REASONS

Reichert Voted To Allow Employers & Health Insurers To Deny Women Birth Control Coverage For Moral Reasons. In 2013, Reichert voted to delay the implementation of certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act and give any employer or group insurance plan the right to opt out of providing contraception coverage for year. According to CNN the measure was “aimed at limiting contraceptive coverage… The so-called ‘conscience clause’ would allow employers and insurers to opt out of preventative care for women which they find objectionable on moral or religious grounds. That prominently includes birth control, which most insurers are required to provide for free under current Obamacare rules.” The measure passed 231-192. [Vote 498, 9/29/13; CNN, 9/28/13]

REICHERT SAID PHARMACISTS MORALLY OPPOSED TO BIRTH CONTROL SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REFUSE TO FILL A PRESCRIPTION FOR IT

Reichert Supported Allowing Pharmacist’s To Not Fill Prescriptions For The Emergency Contraceptive Plan B. In 2006, The Seattle Times reported, “[Reichert] supports a pharmacist’s right to not fill a prescription for the emergency contraceptive Plan B, an issue now before the state Board of Pharmacy.” [The Seattle Times, 10/28/06]

PLANNED PARENTHOOD & NARAL HAVE GIVEN REICHERT A ZERO RATING FOR HIS VOTING RECORD

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Have Given Reichert A Zero Rating. According to Project Vote Smart, as of January 2014, over the previous 6 years, Reichert had a zero percent voting rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund. [Project Vote Smart, 1/09/14]