Casey’s Pro-Life Rating Fails In The Senate

Following this week’s Senate primary election in Pennsylvania, Casey’s pro-life record has again been called into question. While Casey maintains that he is pro-life and opposes federal funding of abortion in Pennsylvania, in Washington, his pro-life record has recently received a failing grade.

According to National Right To Life, Casey has a 44% voting record on pro-life issues in the Senate. Most recently, Casey provided the 60th vote to approve ObamaCare, which indirectly allows individuals to purchase abortion-covered health insurance with federal funds. Although Casey argues that it’s critical to maintain restrictions on federal funding of abortion he has also voted more than 4 times against prohibiting foreign non-governmental organizations from receiving U.S. aid unless they agree to strict restrictions on abortion-related activities. It’s clear from Casey’s failing grade with National Right To Life and his voting record in the Senate that he says one thing in Pennsylvania and votes a very different way in Washington.

Casey Is A Pro-Life Catholic. “Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a pro-life Catholic, said religious-affiliated universities and hospitals should not be forced to buy insurance policies that ‘violate their religious and moral convictions.’” (Scott Wong, “GOP Seizes On Contraceptives Issue,” Politico, 2/7/12)

National Right To Life Gave Casey A 44% Voting Record On Pro-Life Issues. “In a five-way Republican primary race to run against incumbent Senator Bob Casey, pro-life businessman Tom Smith prevailed, winning 39.5% of the vote. Smith will challenge Senator Casey (D) who has a mixed voting record (44%), according to National Right To Life.” (National Right To Life Website, www.nationalrighttolifenews.org, Accessed 5/2/12)

CASEY: “It Is Critical To Maintain Restrictions On Federal Funding Of Abortion.” (Sen. Bob Casey, “Faith Leaders Support Casey Alternative,” Press Release, 12/18/09)

Casey Was The 60th Vote For ObamaCare.(H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #396: Passed 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/24/09, Casey Voted Yea; H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #105: Passed 56-43: R 0-40; D 54-3; I 2-0, 3/25/10, Casey Voted Yea)

ObamaCare Indirectly Allows For The Purchase Of Abortion-Covered Health Insurance With Federal Tax-Payer Funds. “Casey backed a Senate compromise that – while prohibiting federal funds from paying directly for an abortion – allows low-to-middle-income people who receive health care subsidies to purchase insurance that covers abortion. In doing so, he alienated anti-abortion advocates.” (Colby Itkowitz, “Casey, Pitts At Center Of Abortion Compromise,” The [Allentown] Morning Call, 1/14/10)

Casey Has Voted At Least 4 Times Against Protecting The Mexico City Policy. (H.R. 2764, CQ Vote #319: Adopted 53-41: R 7-40; D 44-1; I 2-0, 9/6/07, Casey Voted Yea; H.R. 2764, CQ Vote #320: Rejected 40-54: R 39-8; D 1-44; I 0-2, 9/6/07, Casey Voted Nay; H.R. 2764, CQ Vote #325: Passed 81-12: D 44-0; R 35-12; I 2-0, 9/6/07, Casey Voted Yea; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #19: Rejected 37-60: R 36-4; D 1-54; I 0-2, 1/28/09, Casey Voted Nay)

  • The Mexico City Policy Prohibits Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations From Receiving U.S. Aid Unless They Agree To Strict Restrictions On Abortion-Related Activities. “On Monday, Bush signed a directive reinstituting a 1984 policy – known to abortion opponents as the ‘Mexico City Policy’ and to abortion rights advocates as the ‘gag rule’ – that prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations from receiving U.S. population aid funds unless they agree to sharp restrictions on all abortion-related activities, no matter who pays for them.” (Karen DeYoung, “Abortion Aid Ban’s Global Impact Debated,” The Washington Post, 1/26/01)