Barely a day in office and Congressman Dan Donovan is breaking promises to voters in record-breaking time. After saying the “federal government shouldn’t add restrictions” to a woman’s right to choose during the Congressional campaign and pledging to work with Democrats, Donovan has wasted no time voting to restrict a woman’s right to choose – backing what Speaker Boehner called “the most ‘pro-life’ legislation ever to come before the House.”
“After just his first full day in office, one thing is clear about Congressman Dan Donovan – he can’t be trusted,” said DCCC spokesperson Meredith Kelly. “Instead of keeping his word to New York voters on choice, Donovan stood with is party leaders in Washington in an assault on women’s health. How can New Yorkers expect Donovan to look out for them if they can’t believe a thing he tells them?”
Background
PROMISE MADE: During His Congressional Bid, Donovan Said That The Federal Government Should Not Add Additional Restrictions On A Woman’s Right To Choose. “While he ran for state attorney general describing himself as anti-abortion, in this campaign he said the federal government shouldn’t add restrictions.” [Bloomberg, 5/6/15]
PROMISE BROKEN: Donovan Voted To Restrict A Woman’s Right To Choose After 20 Weeks. On May 13, 2015 Donovan voted for a bill that would “prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape if, as amended, for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse.” The bill passed 242-184. [HR 36, Vote #223, CQ Floor Votes, 5/13/15]
Donovan Voted Against Adding Exception To Ant-Choice Bill To Protect The Health Of The Woman. On May 13, 2015, Republicans voted against an amendment to add an exception to H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to protect the health of the mother, acknowledging that most late-term abortions are performed for medical reasons. The bill sought to ban abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and imposes criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban and provided exceptions in cases where the life of the woman is in danger, or in cases of rape or incest. [Democratic Leader, 5/13/15; H.R. 36, Vote #222, 5/13/15; Ventura County Star, 5/13/15]
Donovan Was Sworn Into Congress On May 12. [Congressional Record, Pg. H2851, 5/12/15]
Donovan’s First Vote Was Roll Call Number 217, The Vote To Restrict A Woman’s Right To Choose Was Vote Number 223. [U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes, accessed 5/14/15]