Highlights:
Mace: “I’m Staunchly Pro-Life.” According to the Daily Beast, “‘I’m staunchly pro-life,’ Mace began with a caveat. ‘It will be an issue in November if we’re not moderating ourselves.’ ‘We can’t go to the far corners of the right or the far corners of the left,’ she said. ‘Somewhere in the middle is where we’ve got to meet.’” [Daily Beast, 10/4/23]
Mace Touted A “Record Of Voting Pro-Life 100 Percent Of The Time.” According to the Washington Post, “Then a draft majority opinion from the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade leaked at the start of May. Asked about her position on abortion during a May 23, 2022, debate against Arrington, Mace uncharacteristically touted a ‘record of voting pro-life 100 percent of the time’ and claimed an A+ rating from the antiabortion group Susan B. Anthony List. She handily defeated Arrington in the primary.” [Washington Post, 11/11/23]
Mace Said She Was Not Opposed To Abortion Bans, But Wanted Republicans To Support Wide Exceptions For Victims Of Rape Or Incest. According to The 19th, “Mace said she isn’t opposed to abortion bans but wants to see Republicans widely support exceptions for victims of rape or incest. She believes most voters would support an abortion ban between 15 and 24 weeks. She wants to introduce legislation to expand access to contraceptives, including over the counter, and praised a state-level proposal out of South Carolina that allows pharmacists to prescribe them. She said a national conversation about abortion should also address the country’s embattled and overburdened foster care system. ‘There needs to be an adjustment in the way that we talk about legislation and legislating. And the way that we show compassion to women, who may be in circumstances that you don’t understand,’ she said, pointing to a pregnancy resulting from rape, for example. ‘I’m pro-life but I’m trying to find some common ground here,’ she said.” [The 19th, 1/30/23]
Mace Was Against Abortion In Most Case And Supported A Bill Banning Abortion At Six Weeks Of Pregnancy As Long As It Contained Exceptions. According to the Associated Press, “Mace is against abortion in most cases and supported the fetal heartbeat bill as long as it contained the exception for rape and incest. She said her decision to reveal an attack that has haunted her for so long was intended to help male lawmakers understand the experience of those victims. ‘It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you are on, there are so many of us who share this trauma and this experience,’ Mace said in an interview. ‘Rape and incest are not partisan issues.’” [Associated Press, 5/19/19]
Mace Said She Supported Abortion Until “15 Or 20 Weeks” Of Gestation With Exceptions For Victims Of Rape And Incest. According to the Washington Post, “Mace has said she supports abortion until ‘15 or 20 weeks’ of gestation with exceptions for victims of rape and incest. For now, she faces no real test of that belief: Under McCarthy, Republican leadership privately indicated that they had no plans to bring a national abortion ban to the House floor. It remains to be seen whether Johnson will follow suit.: [Washington Post, 11/11/23]
2023: Mace Effectively Voted To Repeal A 2022 Memorandum Regarding Traveling For Reproductive Care. In September 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to disagree to section 716, which would repeal an October 2022 Defense Department memorandum concerning traveling for reproductive health care.” The vote was on a motion to instruct conferees. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 205 to 214. [House Vote 400, 9/20/23; Congressional Quarterly, 9/20/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2670]
2022: Mace Voted Against Codifying The Right To Receive Abortion Services And The Right For Medical Providers To Provide Abortion Services And Against Prohibiting Abortion Restrictions. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would “statutorily establish that health care providers have a right to provide and patients have a right to receive abortion services, and it would prohibit certain restrictions related to abortion services. The bill would specify that rights established by the bill may not be restricted by certain requirements or limitations related to abortion services, including prohibitions on abortion prior to fetal viability, or after fetal viability if a provider determines that continuation of a pregnancy would pose a risk to a patient's life or health; requirements that patients disclose reasons for seeking an abortion or make medically unnecessary in-person appointments; requirements that providers provide medically inaccurate information or perform specific medical tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services; limitations on providers' ability to prescribe drugs based on good-faith medical judgment, provide services via telemedicine or provide immediate services when a delay would pose a risk to a patient's health; and requirements for facilities and personnel that would not apply to facilities providing medically comparable procedures. It would also prohibit requirements or limitations that are similar to those established by the bill or that impede access to abortion services and expressly or implicitly single out abortion services, providers or facilities.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 219-210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 360, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Codifying Abortion Access Protections. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for the “Fischbach, R-Minn., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote 209-218. [House Vote 359, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Codifying Abortion Access Protections. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Women's Health Protection Act (HR 8296).” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 217-204. [House Vote 304, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Codifying Abortion Access Protections. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Women's Health Protection Act (HR 8296).” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 218-208. [House Vote 303, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8296; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]
2021: Mace Voted Against The Women's Health Protection Act Of 2021, Which Would Have Protected The Right To Abortion Access And Prohibited Restrictions On Abortion. In September 2021, Mace voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “statutorily establish that health care providers have a right to provide and patients have a right to receive abortion services, and it would prohibit certain restrictions related to abortion services. The bill would specify that rights established by the bill may not be restricted by certain requirements or limitations related to abortion services, including prohibitions on abortion prior to fetal viability, or after fetal viability if a provider determines that continuation of a pregnancy would pose a risk to a patient's life or health; requirements that patients disclose reasons for seeking an abortion or make medically unnecessary in-person appointments; requirements that providers provide medically inaccurate information or perform specific medical tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services; limitations on providers' ability to prescribe drugs based on good-faith medical judgment, provide services via telemedicine or provide immediate services when a delay would pose a risk to a patient's health; and requirements for facilities and personnel that would not apply to facilities providing medically comparable procedures. It would also prohibit requirements or limitations that are similar to those established by the bill or that impede access to abortion services and expressly or implicitly single out abortion services, providers or facilities.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 218-211. The Senate failed to invoke cloture on the bill in February 2022. [House Vote 295, 9/24/21; Congressional Quarterly, 9/24/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3755]
Mace Voted Multiple Times To Prohibit The Use Of VA And Defense Department Funds For Abortions
2023: Mace Voted To Prohibit The Use Of VA Funding To Provide Abortions Or Allow Abortion Counseling. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would “also prohibit the use of the bill's funds to provide abortions, to implement a September 2022 VA rule that allows abortion counseling and establishes exceptions for the prohibition on abortions in the medical benefits package for veterans and civilian beneficiaries, to provide surgical procedures or hormone therapies for gender-affirming care, and to fly or display a flag over a VA facility or national cemetery that is not the U.S. flag, military-related or another government jurisdiction” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 211, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 380, 7/27/23; Congressional Quarterly, 7/27/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4366]
2023: Mace Voted To Repeal A 2022 Defense Department Policy Regarding Reproductive Health Care And Prohibited The Department From Paying For Abortion Services. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would “repeal a 2022 Defense Department memorandum regarding access to reproductive health care and prohibit the department from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 328, 7/14/23; Congressional Quarterly, 7/14/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2670]
2023: Mace Voted For An Amendment That Would Have Repealed A Reproductive Health Care Policy In The Defense Department And Prohibited The Department From Paying For Abortion Services. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would “repeal a 2022 Defense Department memorandum regarding access to reproductive health care and prohibit the department from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.” The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 221 to 213. [House Vote 300, 7/13/23; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2670; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 222]
Mace Effectively Voted At Least Three Times Against Protecting Interstate Travel For Abortion Services
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for the “Johnson, R-La., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote 209-219. [House Vote 361, 7/15/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (HR 8297).” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 217-204. [House Vote 304, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Protecting Interstate Travel For People Seeking Abortion Services In Other States. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of […] the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (HR 8297).” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 218-208. [House Vote 303, 7/13/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8297; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1224]
2021: Mace Voted Against Providing $4.6 Billion for Global Health Programs, Including $760 Million For Family Planning And Reproductive Health Programs. In July 2021, Mace voted against the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide $4.6 billion for global health programs, including $760 million for family planning and reproductive health programs. It would provide over $3 billion to address climate change and other environmental issues, including $1.6 billion for a multilateral Green Climate Fund to help developing countries address climate change, $269 million for renewable energy programs, and $125 million to combat wildlife trafficking.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217-212, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The bill ultimately became law. [House Vote 243, 7/28/21; Congressional Quarterly, 7/28/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4373]
2022: Mace Voted Against Ending A Prohibition On The Use Of Local And Federal Funds For Abortion Services In D.C. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023, which would “end a prohibition on the use of local and federal funds for abortion services in the District of Columbia.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the legislation. Congress passed and signed into law the FY 2023 Budget through H.R. 2617. [House Vote 383, 7/20/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/20/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8294]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for the “Hinson, R-Iowa, motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote 190-234. [House Vote 384, 7/21/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/21/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1232) that would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 219-200. [House Vote 366, 7/19/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1232]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Included Biological Products And FDA-Regulated Products In The Definition Of “Contraceptives,” Specified That “Health Care Providers” Were Authorized Providers, And Clarified That The Contraception Access Bill Did Not Sanction Forced Sterilization. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace effectively voted against the management’s amendment, which would “specify that the bill's definition of ‘contraceptive’ includes biological products and is limited to products legally marketed under existing Food and Drug Administration regulations; clarify the bill's definition of ‘health care provider’ to state that providers must be authorized by the state to provide health care services; specify that the bill may not be construed to sanction sterilization procedures without a patient's informed consent; and make technical changes.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 219-200, thus the manager’s amendment was automatically adopted. [House Vote 366, 7/19/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1232]
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Protecting Access To Contraceptives. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1232) that would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 219-199. [House Vote 365, 7/19/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/19/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8373; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1232]
Mace Effectively Voted Against Reaffirming The FDA’s Authority Regarding Reproductive Health Product Approvals
2022: Mace Effectively Voted Against Reaffirming The Preemption Of The FDA’s Authority Regarding Reproductive Health Product Approvals Over State Or Local Regulations That Restrict Reproductive Health Products. In December 2022, according to the Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “automatic agreement to […] a resolution (H Res 1434) that would reaffirm that the Food and Drug Administration’s authorities to approve or authorize reproductive health products have a preemptive effect with respect to any state or local laws that inhibit access to or use of any reproductive health product.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule and automatic agreement to the resolution. The House adopted the rule and adopted the resolution by a vote of 216 – 193. [House Vote 531, 12/21/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/21/22; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1529; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1434]
2023: Mace Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Which Would Have Mandated Health Care Workers To Provide Proper Medical Care To An Infant Born After A Failed Abortion. In January 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted for Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would “require health care practitioners to provide the same care to a child that is ‘born alive’ after an abortion or attempted abortion as they would for a child born at the same gestational age and to ensure the child is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital; require hospital and clinic practitioners and employees to report any knowledge of failures to provide such care; and impose criminal fines and penalties for failures to meet these requirements. It would state that a child born alive under these conditions is a legal person under U.S. law, entitled to the protections of U.S. law, and it would specifically make any act that kills or attempts to kill such a child punishable as murder or attempted murder. The bill would also prohibit the prosecution of the mother of a child born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion and permit such mothers to seek relief through civil action against any person who violates the bill’s requirements, including monetary and punitive damages.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 29, 1/11/23; Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 26]
2023: Mace Effectively Voted For The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Which Would Have Mandated Health Care Workers To Provide Proper Medical Care To An Infant Born After A Failed Abortion. In January 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Mace voted against the “motion to recommit the bill that would require medical professionals to provide medical care for children who are born alive during an attempted abortion procedure to the House Judiciary Committee.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 212-219. [House Vote 28, 1/11/23; Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 26]