Kirsten Gillibrand Takes Shot At Jon Kyl With 'Factual Statements'

The women of the Senate Democratic caucus took to the Senate floor yesterday to rise in defense of reproductive rights, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) lined up a square shot at the guy everyone has been ridiculing for the past few days: Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).

GILLIBRAND: For my friends and colleagues, this is a factual statement. Current law already prevents federal money from paying for abortions. This has been the law of the land for over 30 years. Shutting down the government for a political argument is not only outrageous, it is irresponsible. The price for keeping the government open is this assault on women's rights.

Gillibrand then went on to describe at length the numerous inequities women face in obtaining health care coverage. Watch the whole thing here:

To remind you what Gillibrand's "this is a factual statement" remark refers to, last week, Jon Kyl went on the Senate floor himself to claim that "well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does" was provide abortions. The correct figure is actually closer to three percent.

Kyl then attempted to walk this back, telling CNN that his remark "was not intended to be a factual statement, but rather to illustrate that Planned Parenthood, a organization that receives millions of dollars in taxpayer funding, does subsidize abortions."

As the Daily Show's Wyatt Cenac pointed out, "What we just saw with Senator Kyl was a deft execution of a political maneuver known as 'lying.'"

UPDATE: Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is also having a good time at Kyl's expense, using the "#ISIntendedToBeAFactualStatement" hashtag on Twitter.

RELATED:
Gillibrand Jabs Kyl With A 'Factual Statement' [PolitickerNY @ New York Observer]

PREVIOUSLY ON THE HUFFINGTON POST:
Jon Kyl Is Sorry If He Gave Anyone The Impression That The Things He Says In Public Are Factual

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Comments

[builderman55]

09:24 PM on 04/18/2011

John Kyl, is kind of, no, is a REAL liar. And that was intended to be a factual statement.

[NewmanKitten]

12:15 PM on 04/17/2011

It should be that any individual found lying on the congressional record can be convicted of treason. In their everyday activities in the House and Senate, these dolts need to be under oath that includes, "...promise to tell the truth, so help me God."

That would effectively clean the place out.

[1differentdrummer]

12:05 PM on 04/17/2011

Don't make fun of him, tell it the way it is. He lied, plain and simple. Just as plain and simple, HE'S A LIAR. Don't point and giggle, scorn the liar.

[paddy523]

11:44 AM on 04/17/2011

Kirsten makes me proud to be a New Yorker!!! I wonder how proud John Kyl's constituents feel?????

[byrdland49]

04:46 PM on 04/22/2011

Senator Kyl represents my state, Arizona...and I am deeply, overwhelmingly, embarrassed and ashamed.

[wyb]

11:18 AM on 04/17/2011

The "Factual Party" is an easier campaign slogan. Birthers, Rebirthers, Baggers, Birchers, and Republican partriotic Americans is hard on the ears.

[mwilbur137]

10:39 AM on 04/17/2011

Jon Kyl is responsible for 90% of the "dead puppy" reports in the Greater DC Metro Area...

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

He is actually only responsible for 3% of them.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

He needs their blood to stay alive.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

[KeyInfo]

10:17 AM on 04/17/2011

Premeditated lying to the American people on the floor of the Senate should be a violation of law. A felony at the barest of minimums. John Kyl has violated the ethics of his job, lost any credibility he may have had and truth be told he should retire immediately.

[DougSmith]

09:51 AM on 04/17/2011

Where are all the trolls this morning???

I was hoping to be entertained while you try to spin this one.

[jack27]

10:09 AM on 04/17/2011

Even they must have a tough time trying to spin "not intended to be factual." What would they call it, "intended to be a bald-faced lie"?

[paddy523]

11:58 AM on 04/17/2011

The sun is shinning, it hurts their eyes!!! And the truth hurts their ears!!!

[ROR]

09:44 AM on 04/17/2011

Americans should not only become more informed about elected officials and hold them accountable to the lies and deciet they continue to spew but should start holding the Media accountable for not calling out the lies and "Fabricated" statements...this makes them just as guilty and just as bad!!!!

[jack27]

10:16 AM on 04/17/2011

You're right about the media. They care about ratings and sensationalism, not about getting the truth out. And they're so cowed by claims of "liberal bias" that they feel obligated to respectfully report even the most outrageous right-wing claims.

[guveqzero]

08:27 AM on 04/17/2011

Republicans don't use facts, they create hysteria. It's time to push them back.

[SouthernerfromTN]

04:54 AM on 04/17/2011

It makes me so happy to read articles such as this one calling out this Senator who stood on the floor and lied. I'm ready for Americans to stop voting for people who win by running an emotional election rather then one based on facts and what the country needs. While we may need lawyers in office, all of our elected officials do not need to be lawyers. More economists and reasonable business people please. (NOT THE CRAZIES!)

[boomcat44]

02:51 AM on 04/17/2011

Plain and simple; the man LIED!
It was a bald-faced lie, and the media just lets it go.

[sknords]

03:41 AM on 04/17/2011

if i had the money i would put up billboards in every makor city reminding folks what the face of a liar looks like and ..well what one needs to do to quality, as does KYL, to be a first class liar.and now
that i think about it..i would put up other billboards about the other transgressions performed by the ilk of palin, bachmann,,,trump,,,barbour etc..
wouldn't that be fun..and inspirational..and a great reminder that not only a dumbing down is and has occured in this country, but a descent into a level so low that for the other side.TRUTH IS MEANINGLESS.
i am glad we have our public voices..stewert..colbert..maher maddow..etc..

[magpie111]

08:15 AM on 04/17/2011

Having lived in AZ for 25+ years I can factually state that Kyl has been a liar for years. McCain has also been a unrepentant liar. In fact, I'll make a arguably factual statement of my own, "most politicians are habitual liars, the ones that aren't don't get reelected".

[jack27]

10:12 AM on 04/17/2011

What does it say about our public discourse that we have to rely on professional comedians (Stewart, Colbert, Maher) for the plain truth?

[grover5995]

02:37 AM on 04/17/2011

Why should Sen Kyl let the facts get in the way of his talking points?

[golferman]

04:53 AM on 04/17/2011

Don't worry, he won't. He's a reptard.

[Apathy Man]

01:33 AM on 04/17/2011

I don't see what all the fuss is about. The GOP is just looking out for the best interst of American women.

This is not meant to be a factual statement

[JRsNana]

12:01 AM on 04/17/2011

And, amazingly, it is now GONE from the Congressional record. He had his lie deleted.

http://ezkool.com/2011/04/jon-kyl-deletes-his-lie-from-congressional-record/

[Funky Discharge]

02:00 AM on 04/17/2011

Thanks for the link - check it out, folks, it's like he never said it.

I wondered if/how long it would take before this was expunged...