Top red flags

Top red flags

• Earned an A+ voting record from the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
• Cosponsored a bill that would have enshrined fetal personhood into law, in an attempt to ban abortion nationwide.
• Stated that he is “pro-life without exception” and would vote to “defund Planned Parenthood.”

Litigation

Litigation

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gaetz joined amicus briefs supporting litigation efforts to restrict access to abortion care and expand religious refusals, including in:  

• June Medical Services, LLC v. Russo: arguing that the Supreme Court should uphold a Louisiana TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) law in an attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade.
• Fulton v. City of Philadelphia: arguing in favor of allowing religious foster care providers to refuse to certify unmarried and same-sex couples as foster parents.

Legislation

Legislation

Gaetz was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2017, serving Florida’s 1st congressional district (2017-2024). During the 118th Congress, he cosponsored the below pieces of anti-abortion legislation and consistently voted in favor of bills that would restrict abortion access, though none have been enacted. 

• “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act” (H.R. 7)
  • Prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the pregnant person.
  • Requires disclosure of any abortion coverage and related surcharges in health plans offered through the Affordable Care Act.
• “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” (H.R. 962)
  • Uses stigmatizing language and the threat of harsh penalties to shame patients and scare providers from offering safe, quality abortion care.

Gaetz also cosponsored a resolution “Expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches” (H.Con.Res. 3).

Statements

Statements

• Gaetz’s campaign website stated he is “100% pro-life” “without exception,” and would vote to “defund Planned Parenthood.”
• Gaetz celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
• Gaetz has a history of making misogynist comments about abortion rights supporters.  
• Gaetz accused the US Agency for International Development (USAID) of misusing funds by “promoting abortion globally.” 

Extremist connections

Extremist connections

• As a Congressman, Gaetz was rated 100% by anti-abortion groups Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the National Right to Life Committee.