Rick Becker on Abortion

	Rick Becker on Abortion

No federal funding for abortion, including abortion drugs

Q: RIGHT TO LIFE: Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants)?

A: Strongly Agree. I will oppose all federal funding for abortion.

Q: Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

A: Strongly Agree. Chemical abortions don't just end the life of an innocent preborn baby, the side effects of these dangerous pills are harmful to the mothers ingesting them as well. As such, I will support legislation that restores the FDA's previous risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) and seek to end chemical abortions in America.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 North Dakota Gubernatorial race , Jun 11, 2024

There's no such thing as a "medically required" abortion

Q: Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

A: Every child has a right to be born and every child must be protected. As a physician, I know there's no such thing as a "medically required" abortion. If the mother's life is in danger, every medical procedure and effort should be focused on saving the lives of the mother and the baby. If the baby dies as a result of the medical procedure, that is a tragic miscarriage, not an abortion.

Q: Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?

A: I support putting an end to every avenue of taxpayer funding for abortion and will support the passage of a Federal ban on abortion.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 North Dakota Gubernatorial race , Jun 11, 2024

I made "some bad votes" against anti-abortion legislation

[Republican incumbent Governor John] Hoeven hit [Independent State Rep. Rick] Becker for past votes against anti-abortion legislation, which Becker said were "some bad votes." [Democratic-NPL nominee Katrina] Christiansen criticized Hoeven for "vilifying" women in "the most grievous moments" who seek late-term abortions. Hoeven, who as governor signed North Dakota's 2007 trigger law banning abortions with some exceptions, questioned whether Christiansen would allow abortions up to the point of birth.

Christiansen queried her opponents on whether they would support further restrictions on abortion, such as making "a child carry a rapist pregnancy" and restricting access to birth control. She wondered how North Dakota's attorney general would address ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening.

Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2022 North Dakota Senate race , Oct 27, 2022

I support life from conception to natural death

The preborn are within the spectrum of human life every bit as much as a 6 month old, a 6 year old, or a 60 year old. The sanctity and respect for life must be upheld throughout all stages of life. Period. I unapologetically support life from conception to natural death. I will oppose all federal funding for abortion services. Source: 2022 N.D. Senate campaign website RickBecker2022.com , Mar 14, 2022

Government's responsibility to protect human life

One of the sharper exchanges came over the issue of abortion. Candidates were asked if they would've signed the multiple pieces of abortion legislation signed by Gov. Dalrymple in 2013, some of which have been litigated in court and defended by Stenehjem's office since then.

Becker said he was pro-life and that it's the government's responsibility to protect human life. Stehehjem said he'd have signed the legislation and is pro-life. He also recognizes exceptions for rape and incest.

Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate , Mar 3, 2016

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*Other governors on Abortion:*			*Rick Becker on other issues:*
*ND Gubernatorial:* Doug Burgum Kelly Armstrong Merrill Piepkorn *ND Senatorial:* John Hoeven Katrina Christiansen Kevin Cramer Michael J. Steele	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]