Chris McDaniel on Abortion

Voted for "heartbeat bill": abortion ban after 15 weeks

The law is being challenged in federal court by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Mississippi has been in a similar position before. Last year, Bryant signed a 15-week abortion ban into law. After an emergency hearing, the law was ruled unconstitutional and blocked from taking effect.

Attorney General Jim Hood recently filed papers on behalf of the state, appealing the ruling. So, now, both the 15-week ban and the heartbeat bill are in court.

Of the legislation, Gov. Bryant previously said, "We think this is showing the profound respect and desire of Mississippians to protect the sanctity of that unborn life whenever possible."

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 81-36-2, Feb. 13; passed Senate 34-14-4, Feb. 13; Sen. Chris McDaniel voted YES.

Repeatedly authored legislation to protect the unborn

Mike Espy (D): Legal. "I'm anti-abortion, but I'm pro-choice." "Women should have the basic right to make their own decisions."

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Ban. "100% pro-life."

Chris McDaniel (R): Ban. Has authored repeated "legislation to protect the unborn." Voted to ban abortions after 15 weeks.

Q: Healthcare: Allow Planned Parenthood to receive public funds for non-abortion health services?

Mike Espy (D): Probable yes. Says will fight for women's rights & reproductive health care. including the availability of medical services.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): No. Opposes public funds going toward family planning services at healthcare organizations that also provide abortions.

Chris McDaniel (R): No. "Defund Planned Parenthood." Doesn't matter that their clinic doesn't offer abortion, because their money is fungible.

Human life begins at conception

McDaniel: Strongly Agree

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

McDaniel: Only in the case where the mother's life is at risk.

Require doctor's prescription to get an abortion

• Prohibits any individual other than a physician from providing any abortion-inducing drug.
• Requires the prescription for the abortion-inducing drug to by written in compliance with the protocol authorized by the FDA.
• Requires a physician to determine gestational age of the fetus prior to providing an abortion-inducing drug
• Requires the physician who administers the abortion-inducing drug to contract with another physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital
• Requires a physician to schedule a follow-up visit at least 14 days after the administration of an abortion-inducing drug
• Classifies a violation of this bill by a physician as a misdemeanor and authorizes the physician's license to be denied or revoked.

Unborn children are children

"They are amazing," he said. "They are on the front lines in the fight for life. They're out there letting people know there are other options aside from just aborting the child."

McDaniel said he favors the Personhood Amendment and anything else that promotes the pro-life message. "It's important to discuss it so everyone can understand it," he said. "I hope one day it leads to a culture that embraces life."

McDaniel said that millions of children have been aborted since the passage of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. "Unborn children are children," he said. "They're human beings and should be protected by law."

Amendment 26 would outlaw abortion, human cloning, embryo stem cell research, and other forms of "medical cannibalism."

CC:De-fund Planned Parenthood.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Public Funding of Abortions (Such as Govt. Health Benefits and Planned Parenthood)' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

CC:Parental notification for abortions by minors.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Parental Notification for Abortions by Minors ' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."