Campaign 2010

Oct 13, 2011

Rob Cornilles Would Join the Republican War on Women

Tea Party congressional candidate Rob Cornilles should tell Oregon voters if he would stand with House Republicans as they wage a war on women. Today, the House of Representatives is voting on a bill that would restrict a woman’s healthcare and privacy. Republican Rob Cornilles has consistently said he is anti-choice and touted his endorsement from Oregon Right to Life, which opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest and for the health of the mother.

“Tea Party candidate Rob Cornilles has staked out his extreme position against a woman’s right to make her own personal healthcare decisions, and he would join House Republicans in ramming through their radical anti-choice agenda that does nothing to create jobs,” said Amber Moon, Western Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Tea Party candidate Rob Cornilles will be just another vote for anti-choice House Republicans who are fixated on taking away a woman’s freedom and privacy.”

In addition to today’s controversial bill, Republicans brought the government to a grinding halt and caused a near shut-down just to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides vital health care services to women across the country.


Background:

 

  • Cornilles Said He is Pro-Life. Cornilles said, “I’m pro-life.” [Americans for Prosperity Meeting, 1/19/10]
  • H.R. 358 Would Restrict How Women With Private Insurance Can Spend Private Dollars In Purchasing Health Insurance. On October 13, 2011, the House was scheduled to take up consideration of H.R. 358, “that would allow federally-funded hospitals that oppose abortions to refuse to perform the procedure, even in cases where a woman would die without it.” Planned Parenthood spoke out against the measure saying it would result in millions of women losing the private health care benefits they have today, benefits they pay for themselves or their employers provide them. [Huffington Post, 10/11/11; Press Release, Planned Parenthood, 2/11/11]
  • Cornilles Endorsed by the Oregon Right to Life. Cornilles said, “I can assure you, you would not have the endorsement of the Oregon Right to Life unless you were pro-life. I am the only candidate on the stage who has indicated he’s pro-life, in that he got the endorsement of the Oregon Right to Life. So it’s very clear where I stand. If you have any questions I would encourage you to call Oregon Right to Life.” [Democracy in Action Forum, 4/20/10]
  • Oregon Right to Life Against Abortion in Cases of Rape, Incest and Health of the Mother. Oregon Right to Life states that they are opposed to abortion under any circumstances except where the life of the mother is in imminent danger. [Oregon Right to Life Policy Statement, accessed 9/29/11]

 

  • Government Faced Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood Funding. In April 2011, the government faced a potential shutdown over Planned Parenthood funding. The LA Times reported “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democrats and Republicans in Congress have essentially agreed on spending levels for the rest of the year, but a budget deal is being held up by a split over policy measures related to Planned Parenthood funding.” [LA Times, 4/7/11]

 

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