At Wednesday’s Fairfax Chamber debate, Barbara Comstock defended her support for overturning Roe v. Wade with a false and incredulous claim that women’s healthcare “would not come into play in Congress.”
In reality, this Republican Congress has focused intently on restricting women’s health care choices:
- Huffington Post: House Republicans Kick Off 2014 With Renewed Focus On Abortion, Birth Control
- CBS News: House passes sweeping anti-abortion bill
- Mother Jones: The House GOP’s Plan to Redefine Rape
Barbara Comstock’s right-wing agenda would fit right in: she already voted for mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds, to restrict common forms of birth control, and for restrictive regulations on women’s healthcare facilities.
“Here’s just how out-of-touch Barbara Comstock is with Northern Virginia: she thinks transvaginal ultrasounds should be mandatory, Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and Congress doesn’t deal with women’s health care issues,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The truth is that the Republican Congress that has led the charge in the War on Women, and Barbara Comstock’s right wing agenda would fit right in.”
BACKGROUND:
Comstock Said Her Desire to See Roe v. Wade Overturned Did Not Matter as a Member of Congress. ““I have worked on building these coalitions and, you see, my opponent wants to continue to divide and attack,” Comstock said, adding that her desire to see Roe v. Wade overturned would not come into play in Congress. “I’m not running for the Supreme Court, I’m running to be your congressman.”” [Washington Post, 9/03/14]
Comstock: “Yes, I think Roe v. Wade Should be Overturned.” In October 2006 on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” Comstock said, “…yes, I think Roe v. Wade should be overturned and the states should decide it.” [MSNBC, 10/16/08]
Comstock Voted to Require Transvaginal Ultrasounds Prior to Abortions. In 2012, Comstock voted for a bill “that requires women to have a ‘transvaginal ultrasound’ before undergoing abortions.” [HB 462, 2/14/12; Associated Press, 2/15/12]
Comstock Voted for Virginia TRAP Laws That Closed Women’s Health Clinic. In 2011, Comstock voted for a bill that required abortion clinic to be regulated like outpatient surgical centers. As a result, the Board of Health adopted requirements that clinics “meet strict, hospital-style building codes that operators say could put many of them out of business.” [SB 924, 2011 Session, 2/21/11; Washington Post, 4/12/13]