The Pence Plan: Women
The Pence plan for women is extreme by any measure. His "blueprint" declares that giving women too many choices leads to "promiscuity," that a physician's judgment is not reliable and that safe sex outside of marriage is a "myth" which "destroys the American family."
Throughout his 12 years in Congress, Pence has followed through on that call to limit women's choices. In 2011, he tried to limit women's access to critical health care services like cancer screenings and contraceptives that prevent unwanted pregnancies with the Pence Amendment to defund Planned Parenthood. That same year he attempted to change the definition of rape, and in 2008 cosponsored an invasive ultrasound bill. He even voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Law to provide equal pay for equal work. And he recently came out in opposition to requiring health insurance coverage for birth control.
The Blueprint
It is an "extreme argument" that women have "almost unlimited choices, including promiscuity."
"It is moving through the extreme argument that a woman has a 'right' to a series of almost unlimited choices, including promiscuity." (p.40)
A doctor's judgment is not reliable.
"A physician's judgment as to whether an abortion is needed for the 'health' of the mother is inherently flexible and practically unreviewable." (p. 41)
Contraception for unmarried couples is bad and "destroys the American family."
"...it will not come by perpetuating the myth that there can be 'safe' or inconsequential sex outside of marriage." (p.89)
"This myth has many ugly heads. It leads to abortion, pornography and the general denigration of women as objects to be had – 'safely,' to be sure. Fundamentally, 'safe sex' of this variety destroys the American family and the culture that goes with it." (p.89)
The Pence Record
Pence cosponsored a bill which would redefine rape.
Pence cosponsored, voted for, and boasted about a bill that would redefine rape. The bill "would redefine rape so that women on Medicaid could only have abortion services covered if the rape was 'forcible.' It would also deny abortion coverage to victims of incest who are 18 years of age or older." (OpenCongress, March 1, 2011)
Cosponsored (H.R. 3, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act)
Voted (H.R. 3, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act)
Boasted: Pence called the bill a "victory for life and for the American taxpayer." (Press release, March 3, 2011)
Pence led the crusade to defund Planned Parenthood.
"The Indiana Republican is on a one-man crusade to deny all federal funding to the group — not just the money it gets for reproductive health and family planning services, but every penny it gets for anything." (Politico, February 16, 2011)
Commentator - "Are you willing to hold up this entire budget over defunding Planned Parenthood?"
Pence – "Well of course I am." (MSNBC Morning Joe interview)
...and has repeatedly sponsored legislation to defund Planned Parenthood.
"An amendment numbered 67 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill for Planned Parenthood." (110th H.AMDT.594 to H.R.3043, Thomas Library of Congress, Bills, Resolutions)
"Amendment sought to provide that none of the funds in the bill be available to Planned Parenthood for any purpose under title X of the Public Health Services Act (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs)." (111th H.AMDT.389 to H.R.3293, Thomas Library of Congress, Bills, Resolutions)
"Amendment prohibits the use of funds for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc." (112nd H.AMDT.95 to H.R.1, Thomas Library of Congress, Bills, Resolutions)
Invasive ultrasounds – a bill cosponsored by Pence would require women who seek an abortion before 12 weeks to get a medically unnecessary, invasive ultrasound.
Pence cosponsored the Ultrasound Informed Act that would force women to view pictures of their fetus in utero before getting access to an abortion and provide for a civil penalty for noncompliance (HR 5032, 2008).
Pence voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
Pence voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Act to ensure equal pay for equal work (S. 181)
Pence opposes requiring insurance coverage for birth control.
"Pence applauds diocese's birth-control lawsuit"...Pence, a conservative Christian, appears ready to dive into hot-button topics more than fellow Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, who famously called for a "truce" on social issues." (The News-Sentinel, 5/23/12)