Steve King and Colleagues’ Bid for Relevance Surpasses Most Ludicrous of Political Stunts

Washington, DC -- Planned Parenthood released the following in response to multiple anti-abortion remarks and actions made by out-of-touch politicians ahead of the State of the Union. Many of the statements come just a week after Republican leadership made one of their first votes of the 114th Congress an effort to defund Planned Parenthood.

Quote from Dawn Laguens, Vice President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“Iowa Rep. Steve King, Speaker Paul Ryan and other out-of-touch anti-abortion politicians have taken tonight’s State of the Union address to yet again send a message to the American people that they will continue to force their hostile anti-abortion agenda heading into 2016.

“In a bid for relevance, Steve King and his colleagues’ disrespect toward women’s health has surpassed even the most ludicrous of political stunts. The State of the Union is intended to look forward, yet they want to take women backwards. Whether making racist remarks or insulting women, anti-women’s health politicians have managed to offend nearly every part of our society. These inflammatory remarks should not be tolerated in the halls of Congress.”

After failing to pass a bill dismantling the historic health reform that has helped expand health care coverage to nearly 90% of Americans, House Speaker Paul Ryan's (R-WI) personal guests to tonight’s speech are currently challenging the law. The President vetoed the bill late last week.

The GOP choice to deliver the Republican response to the State of the Union, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, echoes this clear anti-woman, anti-abortion agenda. Haley has said she would sign a bill outlawing abortion, would allow women’s employers to decide whether they can get birth control, and she’s been called one of the “most anti-gay state officials in America.”