Rep. Joe Walsh Says Birth Control Issue "Not About Women"
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Feb 17, 2012 11:35PM
The Tea Party's favorite Illinois Congressman, Joe Walsh, said something ridiculously stupid. I think we've written some variation of that lede more times than we care to count. This time Walsh chimed in on the contraception issue.
At the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Walsh stated:
This is not about women. This is not about contraceptives. We know, you've said it, we've said it up here. This is about religious freedom. This is about religious liberties.
Usually we try to be a little more neutral, but this has to be said: It must be really easy for Walsh to not care about whether women have access to contraception. He is, after all, allegedly a deadbeat dad. In June his ex-wife sued him for more than $100,000 in unpaid child support. Did Walsh cough up the money? No. Instead he fired back at her through the press. And then he claimed she said he "didn't have to pay child support." Classy.
Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth—running for the Democratic nomination to take on Walsh in the 8th District—issued a statement in response to Walsh's comments.
Contraception is a basic part of women's health care and I am saddened to see yet another important issue become a pawn in the political minefield in Washington. I am shocked by Congressman Walsh's remarks. To claim that a discussion regarding access to birth control isn't about women is yet another example of how out of touch he is.
May we also point out that ZERO people on the panel at the congressional hearing on contraception are capable of getting pregnant. Many congresswomen boycotted the hearing as a result.
Below is a video of Walsh questioning religious leaders at today's hearing, where he said the issue is "not about women." You'll also hear in that hi say in that video that contraception isn't a "medicine". Walsh, here are just a few of the reasons a woman may medically need to use the birth control pill: irregular or absent menstrual periods, menstrual cramps, PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. That's not to mention the many reasons some women's health could be endangered by becoming pregnant.
Below that is another video of Walsh discussing contraception on Follow the Money on Fox News.