Mitt Romney
Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007
Former Gov. Mitt Romney's self-described position on choice has shifted from pro-choice to anti-choice.
As governor, Romney vetoed a bill giving rape survivors information about and timely access to emergency contraception. Fortunately, the Massachusetts state legislature voted to override Romney's veto. 1
In April 2012, two anti-choice groups, the National Right to Life Committee and the Susan B. Anthony List, endorsed Gov. Romney for president.2
Former Gov. Romney has said repeatedly that he would be an anti-choice president:
- In 2007, former Gov. Romney said, "I will be a pro-life president." 3
- That same year he also said, "I am pro-life and I support pro-life legislation…. I think the Roe v. Wade one-size-fits-all approach is wrong."4
- When asked if the repeal of Roe v. Wade would be a good day for America, former Gov. Romney responded, "Absolutely." 5
- Former Gov. Romney also said "absolutely" when asked, "Would you have supported a constitutional amendment that would have established the definition of life at conception?" 6
- Vowing to defund Planned Parenthood, former Gov. Romney wrote that he would "eliminate Title X family planning programs," which includes federal funding for birth control and cancer screenings. 7
- In discussing how he would address the country’s debt, former Gov. Romney responded, "Of course you get rid of Obamacare, that’s the easy one, but there are others," he said. "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that."8
- He even vowed to eliminate President Obama's policy ensuring that women can get contraceptive coverage without a copay. He called the policy "a violation of conscience." 9
News & Updates
As governor, Romney voted to deny rape survivors emergency contraception. But now, he will reap the benefits of a fundraiser hosted by the head of a pharmaceutical company that produces this important medication.
Tom Corbett is the anti-choice governor of Pennsylvania and a huge supporter of Mitt Romney. Here's what he said about women who don't want a forced ultrasound: "I don't know how you make anybody watch. You just have to close your eyes."
How do you know that anti-choice politicians are waging a War on Women? Because they have to keep denying that the War on Women is real.
If there was any doubt that Mitt Romney would be an anti-choice president, that doubt should now be gone. Gov. Romney went on ABC's "World News with Diane Sawyer" and reiterated his desire to see Roe v. Wade overturned.
Susan B. Anthony List vowed to spend millions of dollars to support former Gov. Romney's campaign. Find out what this extreme anti-choice group stands for.
Footnotes
1 - Boston Globe, Scott S. Greenberger, "Lawmakers Override Governor's Contraception Veto: Move Will Ease Morning-After Pill's Availability," September 16, 2005.
2 - NPR, “Romney Scores Key Endorsements From Anti-Abortion Groups,” April 12, 2012. .
3 - The American Presidency Project, "Address to the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit," October 19, 2007.
4 - Associated Press, "Romney Sidesteps Question on Abortion-Ultrasound Plan," April 13, 2007.
5 - MSNBC, Transcript of GOP Presidential Debate in California, May 3, 2007.
6 - Think Progress, "Romney: I Would 'Absolutely' Support State Constitutional Amendment To Define Life As Beginning At Conception," October 3, 2011.
7 – USA Today, "Romney: How I'll tackle spending, debt," November 3, 2011.
8 – Think Progress, "Romney: ‘We’re Going To Get Rid Of’ Planned Parenthood," March 14, 2012.
9 – ABC News, "Romney Calls Morning After Pills 'Abortive,' Says 'Right to Worship God' Is Necessity," February 6, 2012.
Please credit NARAL Pro-Choice America as the source for the information on this page. If you have additional questions about the candidates’ positions, please contact the communications department at 202-973-3032 or Media@ProChoiceAmerica.org.
