JOSH CLAIMS:  I support exceptions for abortion in the case of rape and incest. 

THE TRUTH:  Josh Mandel supports the extreme and dangerous “Heartbeat Bill” that does not contain an exception for rape or incest, & he doesn’t believe in any exceptions whatsoever, even if the life of the mother is in danger.

1. Josh Mandel supports the so-called “Heartbeat Bill” that does not contain exceptions for rape or incest. [Associated Press, 12/7/11]

2. The “Heartbeat Bill” would be one of the nation’s most restrictive anti-choice laws. [Plain Dealer, 2/15/12]

3. In a survey for Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, Mandel stated that he does not support any exceptions (even if the life of the mother is in danger) to laws that would outlaw abortion. [Cincinnati Right to Life 2012 Federal Candidate Questionnaire]

In 2006 Mandel Said He Supported Anti-Choice Legislation Except In Cases Of Rape And Incest, But Then Didn’t List Those Exceptions Two Years Later. In August 2011, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Politifact reported “…a spokesman for Mandel’s campaign said, ‘Josh has always been solidly pro-life and believes all innocent human life should be protected.’ When we talked to Strickland, he said that Mandel seemed to grow more stringent in his anti-abortion views over time, culminating with his support of the heartbeat bill. Mandel supported exceptions to anti-abortion laws for cases of rape and incest, according to an Ohio Right to Life 2006 candidate survey. On a similar survey two years later, he didn’t list those exceptions to qualify his support for anti-abortion laws.” [Cleveland Plain Dealer, Politifact, 8/16/2011]

Dayton Daily News: Mandel Supported “Heartbeat Bill” Along With Huckabee, Blackwell, And Chabot. In April 2011, Josh Mandel signed on as a supporter of House Bill 125, the “Heartbeat Bill”, along with Mike Huckabee, Ken Blackwell, and Steve Chabot. [Dayton Daily News, 4/26/11]

The Heartbeat Bill Would Be One Of The Nations Most Restrictive Anti-Abortion Measures. In February 2012, The Plain Dealer reported, “The latest skirmish comes during one of the more active anti-abortion sessions of the Ohio legislature in recent memory. Already during this session, House lawmakers have voted to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected and made it tougher for minors to get a judge’s permission to get an abortion without parental consent. The so-called “heartbeat” bill, which has stalled in the Ohio Senate, is one of the nation’s most restrictive anti-abortion measures.” [Plain Dealer, 2/15/12]

Heartbeat Bill Could Ban Abortion As Early As 18 Days.  According to ABC News, “The so-called “heartbeat bill” would ban abortions once there is evidence that a fetus has a heartbeat, though it doesn’t set a specific time. The heart is one of the first organs to develop, and a baby’s heartbeat can be detected as early as 18 days for some women, and by six weeks for most.  The controversial legislation is one of the most stringent anti-abortion plans to be introduced in a state legislature to date.” [ABC News, 2/9/11]

Josh Mandel Would Support Legislation Banning Abortion Even In Cases Of Rape Or Incest.  In a 2012 Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati questionnaire, Josh Mandel responded Yes to the question “Do you support federal and state legislation to ban abortion-on-demand from fertilization to birth?” Mandel was given three options: Yes, Yes with exceptions, and No.  [Federal Candidate Questionnaire, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati 1/19/2012]

Heartbeat Bill Mandel Endorsed Did Not Contain Exceptions For Rape or Incest.  In December 2011, the Associated Press reported “The GOP-controlled Ohio House passed the measure with a 54-44 vote in June. It’s been stalled in the Senate since then. The Senate president had several lawmakers research the bill and vet any legal issues. The heartbeat measure includes an exception for medical emergencies, but not in cases of rape or incest.” [Associated Press, 12/7/11]

Mandel Supported Banning Abortion From Fertilization To Birth Without Exceptions.  On the Cincinnati Right to Life 2012 questionnaire, Mandel checked “Yes” instead of “Yes with exceptions” on the question “Do you support federal and state legislation to ban abortion-on-demand from fertilization to birth.”  [Cincinnati Right to Life 2012 Federal Candidate Questionnaire]