¶ Overview
Sullivan championed extreme abortion restrictions, including an outright ban on abortions after 20 weeks. When the Supreme Court weighed overturning Roe V. Wade, Sullivan enthusiastically signed on to an amicus brief supporting the disastrous Dobbs decision. He also indicated that abortion should be entirely illegal except in the cases of rape, incest, or saving the mother's life. Sullivan has fought to curb access to the abortion pill mifepristone and proudly supported defunding Planned Parenthood, which served over 5,000 Alaskans in need every year.
¶ Sullivan Was An Anti-Abortion Extremist
¶ Sullivan Cheered The Dobbs Decision
Sullivan Signed On To A Supreme Court Amicus Brief In Support Of The State Of Mississippi In The Case Of Dobbs V. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. According to a press release from Sen. Young, “U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined over 200 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief supporting the State of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Mississippi’s law protecting life. In the amicus brief, the lawmakers ask that ‘the Court uphold Mississippi’s law as effectuating important state interests, or, alternatively, return this case to the lower courts for consideration.’ The State of Mississippi in 2018 enacted the Gestational Age Act, a state law prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks’ gestation, except in cases of medical emergency. […] In addition to Senator Young, other Senators who signed the brief include […] Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).” [Press Release – Sen. Young, 8/2/21]
- The Amicus Brief Urged The Court To Rule That Pre-Viability Prohibitions On Elective Abortions Were Constitutional. According to a Dobbs v. Jackson Amicus Brief signed by Sen. Sullivan, “The Court has agreed to consider a single question presented by the State of Mississippi, viz., ‘Whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.’ The Members of Congress urge the Court to answer ‘No’ and uphold Mississippi’s law, or return the case to the lower courts for consideration on a full evidentiary record of the crucial interests the State relied upon in determining to regulate the availability of late-term abortion.” [Amicus Brief – Dobbs v. Jackson, 3/18/26]
Sullivan Applauded The Dobbs Decision. According to a press release from Sen. Sullivan, “U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's ruling today in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization. ‘I support the Supreme Court’s decision today, which returns the authority to regulate abortion “to the people and their elected representatives.” […] ‘As a pro-life Catholic, I believe there is no greater gift than that of life. Going forward, I will continue to support legislation protecting the most vulnerable in society, including by expanding quality child care and opportunities for adoption.’” [Press Release – Sen. Sullivan, 6/24/22]
¶ Sullivan Supported Overturning Roe V. Wade
Sullivan Indicated Support For Overturning Roe V. Wade. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Championed Abortion Restrictions
¶ Sullivan Supported Banning Abortions After 20 Weeks
Sullivan Supported Banning Abortions After 20 Weeks. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sullivan Voted For An Amendment Penalizing Practitioners Who Perform An Abortion After 20 Weeks. According to CatholicVote.org, “Penalties for 20+ Week Abortions: This amendment would have established penalties against abortionists who perform abortions at 20 weeks or later, when the unborn baby can feel excruciating pain during an abortion. This vote was taken on August 11, 2021. This senator voted YES.” [CatholicVote.org, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Indicated That Abortion Should Be Illegal Except In The Case Of Rape Or Incest, Or To Save The Life Of The Mother
Sullivan Indicated That Abortion Should Be Illegal Except In The Case Of Rape Or Incest, Or To Save The Life Of The Mother. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sullivan Said During A Debate That He Would Keep Abortion Legal In The Case Of Rape, Incest, And Protecting The Mother’s Life. According to The Wall Street Journal, “At a GOP debate Monday, Messrs. Treadwell, Sullivan and Miller each labeled themselves as pro-life candidates – although with varying exceptions. Mr. Sullivan would keep abortion legal in the case of rape, incest and to protect the mother's life.” [Wall Street Journal, 8/5/14]
As A Lifelong Catholic, Sullivan Outwardly Was Anti-Abortion. According to Anchorage Daily News, “While Sullivan sidesteps some policy questions with the caution of a practiced lawyer, on two big social issues the lifelong Catholic has a ready answer: He's anti-abortion, except in cases of rape or incest or when a mother's life is in danger, and he opposes gay marriage.” [Anchorage Daily News, 4/19/14]
¶ Sullivan Supported Defunding Planned Parenthood
Sullivan Supported Defunding Planned Parenthood. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Planned Parenthood Served Over 5,000 Alaskans Per Year
Planned Parenthood Annually Aided Approximately 5,500 Alaskans As Of 2024. According to the HHS Office of Population Affairs, “Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai'i, Alaska, Indiana, and Kentucky (PPGNHAIK) is a nonprofit organization that has been delivering Title X services in Alaska since the early 2000s. PPGNHAIK serves approximately 5,500 clients per year in three freestanding family planning clinics in the boroughs of Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks North Star.” [HHS – Office of Population Affairs, Accessed 4/14/26]
¶ Sullivan’s First Term Pro-Life Legislative Record Received A Rating Of “A+” From Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America
Sullivan’s First Term Pro-Life Legislative Record Received A Rating Of “A+” From Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America. According to SBA Pro-Life America, “Sen. Dan Sullivan. […] SBA Rating A+. […] 116th Congress: Senator Sullivan has voted consistently to protect the lives of unborn babies and infants as well as the consciences of taxpayers who don’t want their hard-earned tax dollars paying for abortion domestically or internationally. While the pro-abortion majority in the U.S. House of Representatives continually sends the Senate bills that roll back pro-life protections, the Senate has made it their priority to confirm judges and justices who will respect the constitution and leave legislating to the legislative branch.” [SBA Pro-Life America, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Supported Eliminating Taxpayer Subsidies For Abortions
Sullivan Supported Eliminating Taxpayer Subsidies For Abortions. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sullivan Supported A COVID Relief Hyde Amendment. According to CatholicVote.org, “Hyde in COVID: This amendment would have prohibited taxpayer funding for abortion in the covid relief bill of 2021, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act. This vote was taken on March 6, 2021. This senator voted YES.” [CatholicVote.org, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sullivan Supported A Budget Resolution Hyde Amendment. According to CatholicVote.org, “Hyde in Budget Resolution: This amendment preserved the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits direct taxpayer funding for abortion in federal spending bills. This vote was taken on August 10, 2021. This senator voted YES.” [CatholicVote.org, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sullivan Voted To Prohibit Tax Dollars From Being Spent On Abortions Of Fetuses Indicating Down Syndrome. According to CatholicVote.org, “Prohibit Funds for Down Syndrome Abortion: This was a vote to prohibit federal taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions of babies believed to have Down syndrome. This vote was taken on August 11, 2021. This senator voted YES.” [CatholicVote.org, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sullivan Co-Signed A Letter Urging The US Military To Eliminate Abortion Travel Funds. According to Alaska Watchman, “U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan was among 27 GOP senators who signed a letter demanding that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin cease the practice of paying for military members to travel to pro-abortion states to kill their unborn babies. […] ‘Now taxpayers – many of whom have deeply-held religious and moral objections to abortions – are on the hook to facilitate the very abortions they fundamentally oppose,’ the letter added.” [Alaska Watchman, 11/18/23]
¶ Sullivan Voted Against Codifying The Equal Rights Amendment
Sullivan Voted Against Codifying The Equal Rights Amendment, Which Would Have Enshrined Abortion Rights. According to CatholicVote.org, “Equal Rights Amendment Revival (2021): The resolution sought to revive the long-dead ‘Equal Rights Amendment’, which would add a right to abortion to the Constitution and eliminate legal protections long given to women, such as alimony and exemption from the draft. This vote was taken on April 27, 2023. This representative voted NO.” [CatholicVote.org, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Supported A Ban On Federal Funding For Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Sullivan Supported A Ban On Federal Funding For Embryonic Stem Cell Research. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
Sulivan Voted In Favor Of A Prohibition On Taxpayer Funding For Embryonic Tissue Research. According to CatholicVote.org, “Fetal Tissue Funding Ban: This amendment would have prohibited federal taxpayer funding for research which involves aborted fetal tissue or destruction of human embryos. This vote was taken on May 25, 2021. This senator voted YES.” [CatholicVote.org, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Opposed The Women’s Health Protection Act
Sullivan Opposed The Women’s Health Protection Act. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Supported A Requirement That A Parent Must Be Informed Before A Minor Receives An Abortion
Sullivan Supported A Requirement That A Parent Must Be Informed Before A Minor Receives An Abortion. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Supported Criminalizing “Sex-Selection” Abortions
Sullivan Supported Criminalizing “Sex-Selection” Abortions. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Supported Protecting The Rights Of Taxpayers, Organizations, And Providers Who Object To Paying For Or Performing Abortions
Sullivan Supported Protecting The Rights Of Taxpayers, Organizations, And Providers Who Object To Paying For Or Performing Abortions. [Questionnaire – Alaska Family Action, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Touted His Work Defending “Parental Notifications Laws” As Attorney General
Sullivan Touted His Work Defending “Parental Notifications Laws” As Attorney General. According to a questionnaire from Alaska Family Action, “As Alaska’s Attorney General and Commissioner of the Department of natural resources, I pursued a variety of pro-family policies. I defended parental notifications laws and protected parental rights. I spearheaded the Choose Respect campaign to combat Alaska’s high rates of domestic violence against women and children. I also championed policies of less government, more economic freedom that fostered economic opportunity and job growth. A strong economy and job opportunities lead to strong families and hope in communities. [Dan Sullivan – Alaska Family Action Questionnaire, Accessed 3/18/26]
¶ Sullivan Signed Onto A Letter Calling For Restrictions On Abortion Pills
NOTUS: Nearly All GOP Senators Urge The FDA To Restrict Abortion Pills [NOTUS, 10/9/25]
51 Republican Senators Signed Onto A Letter That Called On HHS And FDA To Reconsider The Approval Of A Generic Version Of Mifepristone. According to a press release from Senator John Cornyn, “U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today joined 50 of his Senate Republican colleagues in a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary urging HHS and FDA to reconsider the approval of a generic version of mifepristone, the most prevalent abortion pill on the market, due to serious health risks to both unborn children and expecting mothers as well as concerns with the drug’s potential misusage in states with pro-life laws.” [Press Release – Senator John Cornyn, 10/9/25]
The Senators Claimed That Abortion Pills Should Only Be Available In Person And Claimed That The Abortion Pills Were An “Imminent Hazard.” According to NOTUS, “The senators asked the FDA to suspend approval of generic versions of mifepristone until the safety review is conducted, make abortion pills available only in person, ‘suspend the distribution’ of abortion pills as an ‘imminent hazard,’ and withdraw the agency’s guidance allowing pharmacies to sell the pills — all as a ‘starting point.’” [NOTUS, 10/9/25]
The Letter Claimed That The “Unrestricted Access To Abortion Pills” Would Undermine States’ Rights And Violate Pro-Life State Laws. According to a press release from Senator John Cornyn, “‘Unrestricted access to abortion pills is systematically undermining states’ rights and violating pro-life state laws. Every month, thousands of abortion drugs are shipped into states that have otherwise limited access to abortion after Dobbs, degrading pro-life laws at the state level across the country,’ the lawmakers continued.” [Press Release – Senator John Cornyn, 10/9/25]
- Sullivan Signed The Letter. According to a press release from Senator John Cornyn, “The letter was led by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and also signed by Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), David McCormick (R-PA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rand Paul (R-KY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Todd Young (R-IN).” [Press Release – Senator John Cornyn, 10/9/25]