Article Summary –
Scott Perry, during a candidate debate, dodged questions about his cosponsorship of a national abortion ban bill and falsely claimed to support exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, while stating that restoring Roe v. Wade would lead to taxpayer-funded abortions until birth. Janelle Stelson, his Democratic challenger, criticized Perry’s stance and supported codifying Roe’s protections, highlighting Perry’s history of sponsoring a nationwide abortion ban without exceptions. Perry’s claims about abortion under Roe were misleading, as the decision did not mandate taxpayer funding for abortions at any time, and Congress has restricted federal funding for abortion since 1977.
Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry faced scrutiny during an Oct. 8 candidate debate for his support of a national abortion ban bill. He incorrectly asserted his consistent backing of exceptions to abortion bans.
In the debate with Democratic opponent Janelle Stelson, Perry claimed restoring Roe v. Wade would result in taxpayer-funded abortions until birth, a point of contention in the Pennsylvania 10th Congressional District race.
Perry, seeking a seventh House term, has cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, which would ban all abortions nationwide, lacking exceptions for rape or incest. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
When questioned on whether abortion decisions should be made by states or the federal government, Perry emphasized: “There are two lives at stake. My stance has been consistent. I oppose taxpayer-funded abortions, but I support exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.” He reiterated states’ rights on the matter.
Stelson advocates for codifying Roe protections, expressing outrage over the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe. She criticized Perry’s long-standing support for a nationwide abortion ban.
Perry echoed a false claim by former President Trump, suggesting Stelson supports abortions until birth, despite Roe not mandating taxpayer-funded abortions. The Women’s Health Protection Act, aiming to restore protections, aligns similarly.
Under Roe, abortions were protected until fetal viability outside the womb, allowing state restrictions with necessary exceptions. Since 1977, Congress has banned federal abortion funding in most cases.
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