Joe Biden possible presidential campaign, 2016/Abortion
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 Joe Biden |
Vice President of the United States (2009-2017) U.S. Senator (1973-2009) |
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- In September 2015, Joe Biden said people who were anti-abortion had a place in the Democratic Party. However, Biden noted, “I’m prepared to accept as a matter of faith, my wife and I, my family, the issue of abortion, but what I'm not prepared to do is impose a rigid view, a precise view — rigid sounds pejorative — a precise view that is born out of my faith on other people who are equally God fearing, equally committed to life, equally committed to the sanctity of life.”[1]
- In a 2007 interview with NBC's Tim Russert, Biden explained the evolution of his view on abortion. Biden said, "I’m a practicing Catholic, and it is the biggest dilemma for me in terms of comporting my, my religious and cultural views with my political responsibility. And the decision that I have come to is Roe v. Wade is as close to we’re going to be able to get as a society that incorporates the general lines of debate within Christendom, Judaism and other faiths, where it basically says there is a sliding scale relating to viability of a fetus. We can argue about whether or not it’s precisely set, whether it’s right or wrong in terms of its three months as opposed to two months, but it does encompass, I’ve come to conclude, the only means by which, in this heterogeneous society of ours, we can read some general accommodation on what is a religiously charged and a publicly-charged debate. "[2]
- In this interview, Biden noted he still opposed public funding for abortion because "it goes to the question of whether or not you’re going to impose a view to support something that is not a guaranteed right but an affirmative action to promote."[2]
- When asked if he believed that life begins at conception, Biden said, "I am prepared to accept my church’s view. I think it’s a tough one. I have to accept that on faith. That is a tough, tough decision to me. But there is a point relatively soon where viability—it’s clear to me when there’s viability, meaning the ability to survive outside the womb, that I don’t have any doubt."[2]
- In 2006, Biden voted against S 403 - Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which would have criminalized the transportation of a minor across state lines for an abortion.[3][4]
- Biden voted in favor of HR 1122 - Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997, which criminalized partial-birth abortions except where necessary to save the life of the mother. The legislation passed, but President Bill Clinton vetoed it in October 1997.[5][6]
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See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Talking Points Memo, "Biden Says Pro-Lifers Have A Place In The Democratic Party," September 21, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 NBC News, “Meet the Press Transcript," April 27, 2007
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.403 - Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act," accessed July 17, 2015
- ↑ Senate.gov, "Roll Call Vote on S. 403 (Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act)," accessed July 17, 2015
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1122 - Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997," accessed July 17, 2015
- ↑ Senate.gov, "Roll Call Vote on H.R. 1122 (Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997)," accessed July 17, 2015
