For the past 25 years, John McCain has consistently voted against women's health. From opposing funding for family planning programs to voting against requiring insurance coverage of birth control, McCain has taken extreme positions. He has voted against women's health and has not supported legislation that would help reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion. This has earned him a 0% rating from Planned Parenthood.
That’s why we are educating voters about John McCain’s anti-choice record.
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Time after time, Sen. McCain has shown that he is out of touch when it comes to women's health care. Birth control is basic health care for women. But on July 9, 2008, Sen. McCain ducked a straightforward question about whether he thinks insurance companies should cover birth control. Women in America are still waiting for his answer.
It's shocking how many people still think John McCain's positions are "moderate" when it comes to reproductive health care and rights, when the opposite is true.
Hear John McCain's anti-choice record in his own words.
The Worst of John McCain Playlist
McCain opposed spending $100 million to prevent unintended and teen pregnancies. In 2005, McCain voted NO to allocate $100 million to "expand access to preventive health care services that reduce unintended pregnancy (including teen pregnancy), reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care."
McCain opposed legislation requiring that abstinence-only programs be medically accurate and scientifically based. McCain voted NO on legislation that would help reduce the number of teen pregnancies by providing funding for programs to teach comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality education and other programs to prevent unintended teen pregnancies.
McCain opposed Title X, the nation's family planning program. In 1990, McCain voted NO on legislation to extend the Title X federal family planning program, which provides low-income and uninsured women and families with health care services ranging from breast and cervical cancer screening to birth control.
McCain opposed requiring insurance coverage of prescription birth control. In 2003, McCain voted NO on legislation to improve the availability of contraceptives for women and to require insurance coverage of prescription birth control.
McCain opposes comprehensive sex education. In an interview aboard the "Straight Talk Express," McCain struggled to answer questions about comprehensive sex education and HIV prevention. He also stated that he supported "the president's policy" on sex education.
McCain unsure where he stands on government funding for contraception. "Whether I support government funding for them or not, I don't know," McCain said about contraceptives.
McCain opposed repealing the "global gag rule." In 2005, McCain voted NO on legislation to overturn the "global gag rule," which bars foreign nongovernmental organizations from receiving U.S. family planning assistance if the organization (using its own, non-U.S. funds) provides abortion services or information or advocates for pro-choice laws and policies in its own country.
McCain supports overturning Roe v. Wade. In February 2007, the AP quoted McCain stating, 'I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned.
McCain says Roe v. Wade was a "bad decision." In May 2007, during an appearance on Meet the Press, Sen. McCain reiterated his support for overturning Roe v. Wade, saying, "I have stated time after time after time that Roe v. Wade was a bad decision, that I support a woman -- the, the rights of the unborn." He went on to say, "My position has been consistently in my voting record, pro-life, and I continue to maintain that position and voting record."
McCain would have signed 2006 South Dakota abortion ban In February 2006, the Hotline reported, "According to a spokesperson, McCain 'would have signed the legislation, but would also take the appropriate steps under state law -- in whatever state -- to ensure that the exceptions of rape, incest or life of the mother were included.'" As the New York Times' Paul Krugman points out, "That attempt at qualification makes no sense: the South Dakota law has produced national shockwaves precisely because it prohibits abortions even for victims of rape or incest."
McCain touts "pro-life" credentials at conference of FRC Action, the political arm of the Family Research Council. At a speech at the FRC Action Voter Values Summit in October 2007, Sen. McCain said, "I have been pro-life my entire public career. I believe I am the only major candidate in either party who can make that claim."
The Truth is Clear
McCain wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, potentially putting the lives and health of women in jeopardy. Sen. McCain is out of step with America's pro-choice majority: 62 percent of all voters support Roe v. Wade and, by a 20-point margin, voters believe abortion should be legal.
When women voters find out that John McCain opposes Roe v. Wade and sex education and affordable birth control, then they stop supporting him. These issues -- that affect women on a very personal and important level -- these are going to be taken into consideration at the voting booth.
America Has a Pro-Chioce Majority
A recent poll found that 62% of voters support Roe v. Wade, with 64% of independent voters supporting Roe v. Wade.
Based on the same poll, by a 20-point margin, voters believe abortion should be legal (57–37); among independent voters, that margin increases to 26 points (59–33).
McCain received a zero percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the lowest rating in the U.S. Senate.
"Sen. McCain believes government has the right to interfere with the most personal and often the most difficult decisions affecting a woman's health. Most Americans believe just the opposite and, as more voters realize Sen. McCain’s ardent anti-choice position, this will be an issue for him in the general election." — Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund
5 Questions to Help You Get at the Truth About John McCain
Senator McCain, do you believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned?
In Wisconsin, we have a criminal abortion statute already on the books. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion will be illegal here and women could be sent to prison. In your opinion, how much time should a woman do?
Why have you voted against commonsense prevention measures like increased funding for family planning that would reduce unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion?
Do you believe contraception helps stop the spread of AIDS and other STIs?
Do you support policies that encourage responsible sex education that includes information about both abstinence and contraception in our schools – or do you back the Bush policy of funding ineffective abstinence-only education?
Would you like to know the truth about John McCain? If so, ask him these questions.
