Joe Walsh: Birth Control Debate 'Not About Women' (VIDEO)

Opponents of U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh fired back at the conservative Illinois congressmen over the weekend after he said the national debate over birth control coverage is "not about women."

During a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing last week, Walsh told the all-male panel that President Barack Obama's plan to eliminate co-pays for birth control was an attack on religious freedom.

"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," Walsh told the panel.

Since Obama announced the plan, the always outspoken Walsh has made his opinion on the matter very well known. Last week he sat down with "conservative watchdog group" Accuracy in Media and said the president "stabbed [clergy] in the back," with the contraceptive requirement.

One of Walsh's opponent's in Illinois' 8th District, however, believes her GOP rival's positions are out of step with his constituents. Iraq war veteran and Democratic candidate Tammy Duckworth released a statement blasting Walsh for his stance on birth control coverage.

"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," Duckworth said. "... 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."

EMILY's List, a national pro-choice organization, is endorsing Duckworth in the 8th District race, and released a television ad blasting the all-male contraception panel this week. (Watch it below)

"Women are saying: enough," Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List, said in a statement. “That picture told women everything they need to know about the radical, right-wing anti-women conservatives in Washington who are using their power to set women back decades."

Duckworth, who faces fellow Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi in a March primary, told HuffPost Chicago 8th District voters have "buyer's remorse" when it comes to Walsh, who she says is more concerned with being a "poster child for the Tea Party" than representing the people of Illinois.

"The people of the 8th District want someone in Congress who will work to protect their privacy and their health, not someone who will trade the best interests of women and their families for cheap political gains," Duckworth said.

WATCH Walsh's testimony on the birth control mandate here:

Watch the EMILY's List ad here:

Comments

[hifie]

11:06 PM on 04/08/2012

Not about women then who is it about. Joe are you ready to give birth? I think not. Something wrong with your equipment and the idea that this is about religious freedom is a ploy. Lets just hope that the people of the 8th district come to their senses this time and realize just how out of touch he is with the northern IL people.

[OnceProudAmerican]

05:25 PM on 03/14/2012

I've always thought that Women and birthcontrol a private matter between a woman and her Dr. Guess I was wrong.
As far as this being a religios issue Jesus said 'Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and onto God that which is God's."
What does this have to do with less Government, Joe?
This guy is a prime reason there is so much GRIDLOCK in Government!

[liberalbarbwire]

01:40 PM on 03/13/2012

The Birth Control Debate is Not About Women.. is that something they really expect people to believe

[nvrbl]

03:32 PM on 03/13/2012

Apparently, according to one legislator, we are just like livestock.

[Ao Escobar]

03:10 PM on 03/12/2012

Here's a novel idea, start paying taxes, then opine on Federal matters, until then... just stay out of the political limelight.

-Thanks
Yours truly,
A tax payer.

[laureenholt]

05:48 PM on 03/03/2012

Here we go again--expecting a conservative to violate his conscience or religious beliefs to pander to the Left. Duckworth would rather he "be in touch" w/his constituents than vote his beliefs/conscience.

This whole "mandate" business is nothing but a smokescreen sent out by Barry O--he has NO record of accomplishments/achievements to run on, so get people up in arms over religious liberty, "women's health," FREE birth-control "RIGHTS!", AD NAUSEUM, to keep the spotlight OFF his failed policies & presidency. He doesn't want his lies, his hypocrisy, & his all-too-numerous failures exposed any more than they are (right now), so why NOT get the Catholic Church all riled up--as well it should be--by "mandating" it cover birth control, abortifacients, sterilization, in its employee health-care coverage?! That ought to do it to keep the focus off him! Won't last forever--he's going to put under the microscope & compelled soon enough to answer for his disastrous decisions & policies, & it'll be none-too-good for him.

That day of reckoning to the American people is coming--& for me, it can't come too soon.

NObama2012!
OBAMA: OneBigA$$MistakeAmerica--for SURE!

[njpetlady]

02:19 PM on 03/13/2012

'Here we go again--expecting a conservative to violate his conscience or religious beliefs to pander to the Left. Duckworth would rather he "be in touch" w/his constituents than vote his beliefs/conscience.'

What you don't hear is the fact he is losing BADLY in polling - therefore he is NOT supporting his constituents views and beliefs - the whole reason he was elected and will be voted out this fall. He's obviously not a man with integrity considering his family situation. He doesn't even support his kids. No credibility at all.

Women's rights and civil liberties are being trampled both at the federal and state levels with unprecedented vigor by the GOP. Frankly, I find it disgusting to use freedom of religion to mask an agenda that was repudiated decades ago. If men could get pregnant we wouldn't even be considering this nonsense. But then again, men would come up with some biblical excuse why it's OK for them but not for women.

[CFL68]

01:08 PM on 03/03/2012

'We the people' should pay for some other individual's contraceptives if we get the right to veto their reproductive aspirations. There are a lot of people who just plain SHOULD NOT be reproducing. Think of it as another form of checks and balances.

Its a scary line of thought to pursue, but with dwindling space and resources, its a conversation we need to prepare for. The world is already overpopulated.

These discussions are fascinating if you can peel back the first few layers of stupid.

[laureenholt]

05:54 PM on 03/03/2012

Agree.
If my tax dollars OR insurance premiums are funding someone's sexual proclivities, I & every one else who wants one ought to be able to get a tape of the action we're paying for.

Don't like that idea? Then pay for your sex life yourself! NO "free" contraceptives, condoms, Viagra, diaphragms, IUDs....whatever!

[nvrbl]

04:22 PM on 03/13/2012

Sexually repressed much?

[BrunoTM]

02:29 AM on 03/14/2012

Right now you're funding someone elses "proclivities" for overeating - or eating unhealthy foods, smoking, drinking alcohol, taking illegal drugs and risky behaviours like skydiving, motorcycle riding & etc. As to wanting to see video of the act - as a father of 2 daughters, and a married man myself whose wife uses birth control, do you realize just how offensive and disgusting is this demand? You do realize that many - if not most - married couples use birth control? You do realize that birth control is a lot cheaper than giving birth? You do know that for many women, it's not about sex, it's about conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cysts that are treated with the same birth control medication? Statements and attitudes like yours are the reason why Obama is going to win reelection in a big way come November - you're ignorant, offensive and out of touch with the vast majority of Women and regular citizens.

[MarsAmbassador]

02:38 PM on 02/27/2012

Right, and the Gay Marriage debate isn't about homosexuals...

[MarsAmbassador]

02:37 PM on 02/27/2012

The birth control debate isn't about women? And the slavery debate wasn't about African-Americans. And the immigration debate isn't about Latinos. And the labor debate isn't about unions. Okay.

[cbrown1389]

02:18 PM on 02/27/2012

Dude......where did you arrive from? I, myself, came from a human woman's body.

[damyankeedem]

10:51 AM on 02/24/2012

Religious Freedom...Hmmm I seem to remember a community center in New York City.I am sure you remember ,the one that was going to be on a"sacred 9-11"site.There seemed to be no conservatives fighting for "Religious Freedom then. How many republican state governments are putting out laws to stop sharia law in the US. I guess Religious Freedom is for those that believe in jeezuz. Once again the American Conservative shows their true colors.They want religious freedom as long as it is their religion. They back laws that put the 10 commandments on public property but won 't let anybody else display their sacred texts. The repugs as always are liars,hypocrites and fools. Anyone that doesn't see this is blinded by racism,homophobia and downright stupidity. The only person to Vote for this Year is Barack Obama . I don.t care if you like his policies or not,The 3 idiots that are running now are the path to destruction and ruin . Their proposed economic programs ,not only would not create jobs ,it would increase the debt. As usual the repug mantra of tax cuts for the wealthy has bankrupted this country.When 1 % of the people own 99% of the money it is a little hard to run things on the 1% left over.Every one of these "candidates" is in someones pocket. I wonder if they stay bought.naaaaa that would take honor and integrity. Sorry none of that here. Obama 2012!!!

[madrediterra]

06:40 PM on 02/23/2012

Hey Walsh, Virginia is backtracking on its abortion requirements. Still think this is not about women? The future Rep. Duckworth knows how to take the nation's temperature on issues pertaining to women's health much better than you.

And pay your child support!

[laureenholt]

05:58 PM on 03/03/2012

"Women's health" & BIRTH CONTROL have 0 to do with each other!

Pregnancy is NOT a disease! Ya don't want to get pregnant--or get someone pregnant?

STAY VERTICAL AND KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON AROUND YOUR OPPOSITE SEX!
It's just that simple!

[Judithbee]

05:10 PM on 04/08/2012

Someone doesn't seem to know birth control is used for more than just contraception. For example you can use birth control to treat ovarian cysts.

[Jeanette Ulvila]

10:43 PM on 04/08/2012

Not much into facts huh

[MRICHIBAN]

01:48 PM on 02/23/2012

If Congressman Joe Walsh had practice birth control he wouldn't be so far behind in his child support payments. But that's not a big deal for the Republican Hierarchy, one of their own neglecting to support his family as ordered by the court, no problem. The GOP doesn't frown on Pedophile Legislators, on Republican Adulterers, thieves , liars and con men. But don't let them catch you using contraception or any kind of birth control cause then you they sic'em the church on you.

[LeftRight]

09:01 AM on 02/23/2012

Joe Joe Joe.... Perhaps you need to read the Constitution of the United States again....

Here, I'll give you a link:

http://www.house.gov/house/Constitution/Constitution.html

[dobber64]

10:15 AM on 02/24/2012

AGAIN ?

[Ao Escobar]

03:11 PM on 03/12/2012

Just because he checked it out of the Library of Congress, doesn't mean he read it.

[Debeucci]

08:46 AM on 02/23/2012

If it's about religious rights, then why isn't the right wing backing polygamy for the mormons?

[upset99]

07:53 AM on 02/23/2012

Funny, the Catholic Church doesn't want to pay for Sin? So Kosher Jews and Muslims should not pay taxes because part of their Tax Money goes to Hog Farms.

I think it is a Sin to have children you can't afford. Why are people on Welfare having MORE Children? The Catholic Church doesn't preach this. I bet they tell their members to apply for Government aid!

[laureenholt]

06:03 PM on 03/03/2012

I'll bet they don't!
You see, since I'm a lifelong praciticing Catholic, I just might know a tad more about this than you, who's probably never been in/near the Church.

The Church does not advocate government assistance. She advocates assistance coming from other sources, namely, herself, of which she has an abundance....

[nvrbl]

03:43 PM on 03/13/2012

She also advocates letting women die. Do the first amendment rights of the catholic church trump a woman's right to modern medical care?
" Rev. John Ehrich, medical ethics director for the Diocese of Phoenix, who argued that, making the right decision under Catholic doctrine, "There are some situations where the mother may in fact die along with her child." Even though, abortion or no abortion, the fetus will not survive, the woman must also be sacrificed."