1A - I believe states should have the right to restrict abortion as they see fit.
1B - No.
2 - No answer.
3A - Woman's or girl's life threatened by pregnancy; and Pregnancy due to rape or incest.
3B - I believe states should be free to offer or expand this type of coverage to their citizens. I support allowing the states to create their own innovative Medicaid programs such as TennCare, which may choose to provide expanded prenatal care and birthing facilities to indigent women.
3C - Other: I have voted to provide funding for Title X family planning programs.
4A - States should have the right to impose this restriction.
4B - No answer.
5 - Other: My evaluation of the federal government's legitimate role.
6A&B* - Families, communities, churches and other local organizations can have the most powerful influences on our nation's young people ... and should continue to take steps to prevent many teen pregnancies. When problems do occur, these groups, along with local and state government, should stand ready to assist those in need. From a federal perspective, I am encouraged that the recently enacted welfare bill includes a provision denying cash aid to unmarried mothers under age 18 and their children unless they live with an adult relative... The law also requires states to provide or assist unwed minors in finding a suitable home, maternity home, or other appropriate adult-supervised living arrangement. If the mother has not completed school, the law requires her to attend school or training once her youngest child is 12 weeks old.
7* - I supported legislation that would prohibit health insurance companies from forcing mothers and their newborn children out of the hospital after as little as 24 hours...
8* - The Supreme Court has attempted to delineate the constitutionally appropriate roles for individual and government decision-making on the issue of abortion. Beyond that, I believe that the federal government should not interfere with individual convictions and actions in this area. I would make an exception to this general rule . . . in a very limited number of cases where the government has a compelling interest in promoting the public welfare. For instance, I believe that states should be allowed to impose various restrictions (e.g, parental notification, 24-hour waiting periods)...
Senate voting record: Senator Thompson supported the pro-choice position in 1 of 16 votes tracked by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL). His pro-choice vote was in opposition to a measure to prohibit federal employees from choosing a health insurance plan with abortion coverage. Issues on which NARAL regarded his votes as anti-choice included other measures related to federal employee health insurance, the nomination of Dr. Henry Foster as Surgeon General, welfare reform, funding for international family planning programs, Medicaid funding for abortions, and the ban on late-term abortions.
Did not return TFC's questionnaire. A spokesperson in his Washington, DC, office told us that Rep. Duncan opposes abortion except to save the life of the mother.
House voting record: Rep. Duncan supported the pro-choice position in 1 of 21 votes tracked by NARAL. His single pro-choice vote was against final passage of a bill that contained an amendment to prohibit funding to international family planning programs that support abortion. He had previously voted for the amendment. Other issues on which NARAL regarded Duncan's votes as anti-choice included other measures related to international family planning, Title X family planning, funding to local governments to protect health clinics that provide abortions, the prohibition on abortions at overseas military hospitals, federal employee health insurance, and the ban on late-term abortions.
Did not return TFC's questionnaire.
House voting record: Rep. Wamp did not support the pro-choice position in any of the 21 House votes tracked by NARAL.
Did not return TFC's questionnaire.
In a conversation with a TFC member, he promised to maintain the present status and that he would not support any changes in present state law.
Did not return TFC's questionnaire.
In response to a telephone call, gave the following statement: "I believe that abortion should be legal in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. This should not be decided in the legislature but should be decided by the individual, her family and church."
Responses to TFC's questionnaire:
1A - No
1B - No
2 - Woman herself decides ( includes any of the above )
3A - I am undecided
3B - Yes
4A - Probably yes, with stipulations. Only if one parent does not fit exceptions in 4B.
4B - No to both.
5 - My personal religious views; Views of the majority of my constituents; and My evaluation of the state's legitimate interest. (Checked all 3 listed choices.)
6A - A difficult question to answer. I am a pediatrician who has tried to deal with this for 33 years.
6B - Uncertain. This needs some consensus among those really trying to prevent pregnancy.
7 - No.
8 - I am prochoice. This is a decision between a woman, available family, her counselors, and those she trusts, which might include a physician but not the government.
Last Modified June 8, 1997