Scott DesJarlais on Abortion

Summary

Congressman DesJarlais stated in his 2010 and 2012 campaign websites that he is pro-life and that all life should be protected and cherished. In 2012, Congressman DesJarlais was involved in a controversy when it was revealed that a woman with whom he had an affair  in the 1990's had become pregnant and Dr Descarlais encouraged her repeatedly to have an abortion. At one point, he recorded a conversation in which he tried to convince her to go through with the procedure. In that conversation, he referred to the abortion as "solving" the problem. After the 2012 elections, Huffington Post reported that during his marriage, which ended in 2000, Dr Desjarlais and his wife agreed to have two abortions. Apparently, these abortions were for family planning purposes only.

 

2012 - Campaign Website Statements

Abortion – All life should be cherished and protected. We are pro-life.

 

2010 - Campaign Website Statements

5. Protect our traditional Tennessee values.

Scott is pro-gun, pro-life and pro-marriage and PROUD OF IT.

 

Voting Record

Amendment - Planned Parenthood Funds

In February of 2011, the House passed an amendment to prevent the use of funds by Planned Parenthood. Scott DesJarlais voted in favor of the amendment to prevent funds from going to planned parenthood.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-112; Bill Number-H R 3; No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Cosponsor

Prohibits the expenditure of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law (federal funds) for any abortion. Prohibits federal funds from being used for any health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services and plans receiving federal funds must keep federal funds segregated from any funds for abortion services.) Disallows any tax benefits for amounts paid or incurred for an abortion or for a health benefits plan that includes coverage of abortion, including any medical deduction for such amounts or any credit for such an employer-sponsored plan. Prohibits the inclusion of abortion in any health care service furnished by a federal or District of Columbia health care facility or by any physician or other individual employed by the federal government or the District. Provides that such prohibitions shall not apply to an abortion if: (1) the pregnancy is the result of forcible rape or, if the pregnant woman is a minor, incest; or (2) the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, as certified by a physician.

Session-112; Bill Number-H R 217; Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act - Cosponsor

Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Service (HHS) from providing any federal family planning assistance to an entity unless the entity certifies that, during the period of such assistance, the entity will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion. Excludes an abortion where: (1) the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or an act of incest against a minor; or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffered from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. Excludes hospitals from such requirement so long as the hospital does not provide funds to any non-hospital entity that performs an abortion. Requires the Secretary to annually provide Congress: (1) information on grantees who performed abortions under the exceptions; and (2) a list of entities to which grant funds are made available.

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