J.C. Watts on Abortion

Former Republican Representative (OK-4)

Block research funding for embryonic stem cells

House Republican leaders urged prohibiting spending federal money on biomedical research that used embryonic stem cells - primordial cells that can reproduce themselves and can, in theory, be manipulated to create almost any cells in the human body. Three top House Republicans, Dick Armey, Tom DeLay, & J. C. Watts issued a joint statement saying:

The federal government cannot morally look the other way with respect to the destruction of human embryos, then accept & pay for extracted stem cells for the purpose of medical research. It is not pro-life to rely on an industry of death, even if the intention is to find cures for diseases. We can find cures with life-affirming, not life-destroying, methods that are becoming more promising with each passing day. Republicans take a back seat to no one when it comes to promoting medical research. We will continue to properly fund crucial research, but it must advance the cause of life without sacrificing some lives to better others.

Source: Robert Pear, NY Times, p. A1 Jul 3, 2001

Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad.

Vote to adopt an amendment that would remove language reversing President Bush's restrictions on funding to family planning groups that provide abortion services, counseling or advocacy. Reference: Amendment sponsored by Hyde, R-IL; Bill HR 1646 ; vote number 2001-115 on May 16, 2001

Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes.

Vote to pass a bill that would make it a federal crime to harm a fetus while committing any of 68 federal offenses or a crime under military law. Abortion doctors and women whose own actions harmed their fetuses would be exempt. Reference: Bill sponsored by Graham, R-SC; Bill HR 503 ; vote number 2001-89 on Apr 26, 2001

Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions.

HR 3660 would ban doctors from performing the abortion procedure called "dilation and extraction" [also known as “partial-birth” abortion]. The measure would allow the procedure only if the life of the woman is at risk. Reference: Bill sponsored by Canady, R-FL; Bill HR 3660 ; vote number 2000-104 on Apr 5, 2000

Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion.

The Child Custody Protection Act makes it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines for the purpose of obtaining an abortion. Reference: Bill sponsored by Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL; Bill HR 1218 ; vote number 1999-261 on Jun 30, 1999

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Page last updated: Jul 05, 2008