Two years ago, Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams was accused of supporting a national abortion ban and wanting to outlaw abortion without exceptions.Ìý
Sound familiar?Â
In the competitive 22nd Congressional District, Democrats are targeting Williams, R-Sennett, and making claims about his abortion position. мÓƶà¶à¿ª½±¼Ç¼, as it did in 2022, is fact-checking multiple TV ads and mailers that criticize Williams' abortion views.Ìý
The claims
A mailer paid for by the New York State Democratic Committee accuses Williams of "pushing an extreme MAGA agenda to ban abortion nationwide." This messaging is similar to what's used in ads paid for by Democratic groups and state Sen. John Mannion, Williams' challenger.Ìý
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The mailer claims Williams "supports letting politicians ban abortion in cases of rape, incest and when a woman's life is at risk."Â
To back up the claim, the mailer cites a post by Williams on X in June 2022. The post, which has been deleted, is Williams' response to the Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling — a decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.Ìý
In the post, Williams calls it "historic news" and repeats his opposition to abortion.Ìý
"I am pro-life by faith," he wrote. "Abortion eliminates all future possibilities of the lives that it takes. We protect other groups of our society who have no voice, the unborn deserve the same protections — as they are the most vulnerable of all. We are morally obliged to protect their rights. Today's Supreme Court decision sends the issue of abortion back to the states, where it belongs."
Williams continued, "Our fight to protect the unborn is not over. I will always fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. As the only pro-life candidate in this race, the people of NY-22 have a clear choice when it comes to who will stand up for the unborn and those without a voice."Â
Democrats also criticize Williams' legislative record, highlighting his votes for the and an that included a provision .ÌýThe mailer claims he voted to "restrict abortion medication" and to "punish doctors." The latter claim refers to language in the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act that would penalize health care providers for not caring for babies who, in rare cases, are "born alive" during an abortion procedure.Ìý
Williams, Democrats say, "supports stripping abortion coverage from New Yorkers' private insurance plans" because he has the .Ìý
According to a summary of the House GOP bill, it "prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions." There would be exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or if "a physical disorder, injury or illness endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed."Â
Critics of the bill that if it becomes law, women would not be able to receive the premium assistance tax credit for health insurance that provides abortion coverage. The National Women's Law Center adds that small businesses would be denied the small business tax credit if they provide employees with health insurance that covers abortions.Ìý
The facts
It is true that Williams opposes abortion. However, he does not support a national abortion ban. He believes the issue should be handled by the states. Democrats say that means Williams supports "letting politicians ban abortions" without exceptions. But he has previously said that he supports certain exceptions — in cases of incest, rape and if the mother's health is at risk.Ìý
Many of these misleading claims were used against Williams in 2022. What's changed, though, is he has a legislative record.Ìý
Williams is a cosponsor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. Among the concerns raised about the bill is that it could force private insurers to no longer cover abortions.Ìý
Williams for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and the , which included the language to .Ìý
The voting record shows that while Williams opposes a national abortion ban, he has supported federal legislation that aims to restrict abortion access.Ìý
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.