Portrait of Barack Obama
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Barack Obama on Abortion

Strong supporter of access (strong)

Barack Obama is a consistent and strong supporter of abortion rights, aligning with the Democratic platform to ensure abortions remain legally available as established by Roe v. Wade.

During his presidency, President Obama took executive actions and supported legislative goals aimed at protecting and expanding access to abortion and related reproductive healthcare services.

His position has also included supporting measures to reduce unintended pregnancies, such as increasing access to contraception, while navigating the complexities of federal funding restrictions, like adhering to the Hyde Amendment.

This assessment is based on his long-standing public statements, campaign promises, and executive actions taken while serving as a state senator, U.S. Senator, and President of the United States.

Context

Barack Obama's views on abortion are central to his political identity as a Democrat and directly influenced his domestic policy agenda, particularly healthcare reform. As president, his administration navigated the balance between codifying abortion rights and securing votes for complex legislation like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which led to executive actions regarding federal funding limitations.

His early career as an Illinois state senator and later U.S. Senator provided a record that was closely scrutinized by both pro-choice and pro-life advocates during his presidential campaigns. His stated goal of signing the Freedom of Choice Act highlighted his commitment to codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law, a goal he did not achieve despite having a Congressional majority early in his first term.

Timeline

  1. As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama stated his abortion position conformed with the Democratic platform.
  2. Then-Senator Obama told Planned Parenthood that signing the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would be the 'first thing I'd do as president'.
  3. In a statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Obama reaffirmed his commitment to protecting a woman's right to choose and his intent to pass the Freedom of Choice Act.
  4. When asked when life begins, Obama stated that answering the question with specificity was 'above my pay grade'.
  5. Upon taking office, President Obama released a statement restating support for the Roe v. Wade decision.
  6. President Obama signed an executive order reaffirming that no federal money would pay for abortions under the new health care reform law, adhering to the principles of the Hyde Amendment.
  7. Following the preliminary decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Barack and Michelle Obama released a joint statement arguing the move would relegate personal decisions to politicians and could make abortion more dangerous.

Actions Taken

  1. Executive Order
    Reversed the Mexico City Policy, which had prohibited federal aid to international family planning organizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion.
  2. Personnel Appointment
    Nominated individuals with pro-abortion records to key positions, including Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff and Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services Secretary.
  3. Foreign Aid/Funding
    Announced $50 million for the UNFPA, a UN population agency criticized by some for promoting abortion.
  4. Executive Order
    Signed an executive order that reversed a ban on using federal funds for embryonic stem cell research, which critics argued did not sufficiently protect human life.

Key Quotes

Whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade.

Campaign event in Lake Forest, California August 1, 2008 — Obama's response when asked when life begins during the 2008 presidential election.

Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose.

Statement on the 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade January 22, 2008 — Reaffirming his stance on the importance of the landmark Supreme Court decision.

Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.

Joint statement with Michelle Obama on the leaked *Dobbs* opinion May 4, 2022 — His reaction to the draft opinion that would overturn *Roe v. Wade*.

Related Positions

  • Healthcare reform His administration's push for the Affordable Care Act involved negotiations that addressed federal funding restrictions on abortion, referencing the Hyde Amendment.
  • Judicial appointments His nominations to the Supreme Court, like Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, were viewed through the lens of how they might rule on future abortion challenges.

Criticism

Pro-Life Compilation Sources (e.g., Steven Ertelt)

Accused Obama of having a 'Pro-Abortion Record' based on his appointments, executive actions like overturning the Mexico City Policy, and support for judicial nominees with pro-choice records.

Thomas Cunningham, Ash Sarkar, Jimmy Dore, Amy Tarkanian

Criticized President Obama for failing to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law during his presidency, even when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House (2009-2011).

Public Discourse

Described Senator Obama as the 'most extreme pro-abortion candidate ever to seek the office of President of the United States,' citing his opposition to partial-birth abortion bans and support for the Freedom of Choice Act.