Al Franken

Attack on the ACA – Senate Conference Report

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, H.R.1. On agreeing to the conference report. Final passage. The conference report overhauls the tax system and eliminates the Affordable Care Act's requirement for individuals to purchase health insurance.

(Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.).

Willett Confirmation, Fifth Circuit Judge

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Don Willett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Grasz Confirmation, Eighth Circuit Judge

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Leonard Steven Grasz to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Attack on the ACA – Senate Final Passage

Katsas Confirmation, D.C. Circuit Judge

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Greg Katsas to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Barrett Confirmation, Seventh Circuit Judge

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

ACA Repeal: Paul Amendment

FY’18 budget resolution, H.Con.Res.71. Paul (R-KY) amendment to provide budget reconciliation instructions to repeal consumer protections, including protections for pre-existing conditions and required coverage of essential health benefits, provided by the Affordable Care Act.

(Some anti-abortion lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-reproductive freedom votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.)

ACA Repeal: Lee Amendment

FY’18 budget resolution, H.Con.Res.71. Lee (R-UT) amendment to provide budget reconciliation instructions to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

(Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.)

ACA Repeal and Attack on Planned Parenthood – McConnell Amendment

Health Care Freedom Act of 2017, H.R.1628. McConnell (R-KY) Amendment to FY’17 budget reconciliation legislation to defund Planned Parenthood and to eliminate the Affordable Care Act requirement to have health insurance.

(Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.)

Abortion-Coverage Ban

American Health Care Act of 2017, H.R.1628. Motion to waive the point of order that removes certain abortion-coverage restrictions in the budget reconciliation bill. This motion reinstates abortion restrictions on private insurance in the budget reconciliation bill.

ACA Repeal and Attack on Planned Parenthood – Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017

Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017, H.R.1628. Motion to waive certain Senate rules on the FY’17 budget reconciliation legislation. Waiving these rules would move forward a bill to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, restrict private insurance coverage of abortion care, and disqualify Planned Parenthood from participating in federal healthcare programs for one year.

(Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.)

ACA Repeal and Attack on Planned Parenthood – Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017

Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, H.R.1628. Motion to waive certain Senate rules on the FY’17 budget reconciliation legislation. Waiving these rules would move forward a bill to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, including restrictions on private insurance coverage of abortion care, and disqualify Planned Parenthood from participating in federal healthcare programs for one year.

(Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.)

Bush Confirmation, Sixth Circuit Judge

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee John Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Gottlieb Confirmation, FDA Commissioner

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Scott Gottlieb to the post of commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Gorsuch Nomination, Supreme Court: Confirmation

Vote to confirm antichoice nominee Neil Gorsuch to the post of associate justice of the Supreme Court.

Gorsuch Nomination, Supreme Court: Rules Change

Vote to sustain the decision of the Chair that Supreme Court nominees must pass a 60-vote threshold. Vote failed. This rules change lowered the threshold to a simple majority.

Gorsuch Nomination, Supreme Court: Motion to End Debate

Motion to invoke cloture (end debate) on the nomination of anti-choice Neil Gorsuch to the post of associate justice of the Supreme Court. Three-fifths of the Senate (60 votes) is required to invoke cloture.

Rescind Title X Protections – Senate Final Passage

A resolution to express congressional disapproval of the final rule relating to compliance with Title X requirements, H.J.Res.43. Final passage. This measure reverses the Obama administration rule prohibiting discrimination against healthcare providers in the Title X program. VP Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking, anti-choice vote for the bill and it passed 51-50.

Rescind Title X Protections: Motion to End Debate

A resolution to express congressional disapproval of the final rule relating to compliance with Title X requirements, H.J.Res.43. Motion to proceed to consideration of the resolution. This measure reverses the Obama administration rule prohibiting discrimination against healthcare providers in the Title X program. VP Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking, anti-choice vote for the bill and it passed 51-50.

Price Confirmation, HHS Secretary

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Tom Price to the post of secretary of Health and Human Services.

Sessions Confirmation, Attorney General

Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Jeff Sessions to the post of attorney general.

Support Women’s Access to No-Copay Contraception

FY’17 senate budget resolution, S.Con.Res.3. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Hirono (D-HI) amendment to ensure that women retain their guaranteed no-cost contraceptive coverage.

Restriction on Contraception: Zika Response

Zika Response and Preparedness Act, H.R.2577. Motion to invoke cloture on the conference report to accompany H.R.2577, which restricts access to contraception by excluding family-planning providers from receiving Zika response funds. (Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.) Three-fifths of the total Senate (60 votes) is required to invoke cloture.

Restriction on Contraception: Zika Response

Zika Response and Preparedness Act, H.R.2577. Motion to invoke cloture on the conference report to accompany H.R.2577, which restricts access to contraception by excluding family-planning providers from receiving Zika response funds. (Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.) Three-fifths of the total Senate (60 votes) is required to invoke cloture.

Restriction on Contraception: Zika Response

Zika Response and Preparedness Act, H.R.2577. Motion to invoke cloture on the conference report to accompany H.R.2577, which restricts access to contraception by excluding family-planning providers from receiving Zika response funds. Three-fifths of the total Senate (60 votes) is required to invoke cloture.

(Some anti-choice lawmakers cast what appear to be pro-choice votes; most observers recognize that those votes were cast for reasons unrelated to reproductive health.) Leader Mitch McConnell switched his vote (from anti-choice to pro-choice) to preserve right to file a motion to reconsider.