Let’s meet

Karen Whitsett

State Representative,
Michigan House District 4

Democrat

The mixed signals:

Karen voted to pass a bill that further protects Michigan’s new constitutional right to abortion. It also allows healthcare providers to consider broader factors when deciding if an abortion is necessary after fetal viability, and repeals a ban on private insurance coverage of abortion.

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“I will not cast a single vote to allow taxpayer money to fund elective abortions when those same dollars should be used to fulfill our duty to struggling seniors living in poverty. Elderly citizens across our state are forced daily to make unthinkable trade-offs just to survive – deciding between food, shelter, or the medications that literally keep them alive,” Whitsett said. “The choice is simple – we can either fund essential care for seniors or fund elective abortions. I choose our elders.”

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Take Action

What to do now:

Thank Karen for her support:

This legislator has shown that they believe abortion rights are important, though they are also comfortable with the current limitations.

What to say:

Thank them for acknowledging the importance of abortion rights, and push them to fight for expanding access to abortions.

  • Introduce yourself, including your relation to the district.
  • Explain to them why abortion rights and expanded access are important to you. (Personal stories work well here)
  • Ask them to commit to supporting any bills that will protect and expand abortion rights.

Dive deeper:

The latest from Karen

"I'm questioning: Do we need to pay for Medicaid-funded abortions?" Whitsett told NPR in September. "That was not the conversation during Prop 3. That was not what people agreed to. That was never, ever part of the conversation."

Nov 8, 2023

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Voted Yes on HB 4951

Karen voted to pass a bill that removes references to abortion-related offenses from criminal sentencing laws, after the Michigan Constitution was amended to protect the right to abortion.

Nov 1, 2023

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Voted Yes on SB 0474

Karen voted to pass a bill that repeals a number of requirements for facilities providing abortions.

Nov 1, 2023

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Voted Yes on HB 4949

Karen voted to pass a bill that further protects Michigan’s new constitutional right to abortion. It also allows healthcare providers to consider broader factors when deciding if an abortion is necessary after fetal viability, and repeals a ban on private insurance coverage of abortion.

Nov 1, 2023

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Voted Yes on SB 0476

Karen voted to pass a bill that updates the legal definition of abortion to recognize it as a medical treatment.

Nov 1, 2023

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“I will not cast a single vote to allow taxpayer money to fund elective abortions when those same dollars should be used to fulfill our duty to struggling seniors living in poverty. Elderly citizens across our state are forced daily to make unthinkable trade-offs just to survive – deciding between food, shelter, or the medications that literally keep them alive,” Whitsett said. “The choice is simple – we can either fund essential care for seniors or fund elective abortions. I choose our elders.”

Sep 20, 2023

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Voted Yes on SB 0147

Karen voted to pass a bill that bans employers from discriminating against employees who are pregnant or have terminated a pregnancy.

May 3, 2023

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Voted Yes on HR 0072

Karen voted to pass a resolution condemning the April 7, 2023 order by US District Court for Northern District of TX to cease use of mifepristone.

Apr 13, 2023

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Voted No on HB 5559

Karen voted against a bill that sets criminal penalties for using an embryo, fetus, or newborn for research.

Feb 9, 2022

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