Ohio Rep. Jean Schmidt Calls Pregnancy Resulting From Rape An ‘Opportunity’

A female Republican lawmaker from Ohio sparked outrage after making controversial comments about pregnancy resulting from rape.

State Rep. Rich Brown (D) presented a hypothetical instance of a 13-year-old girl becoming pregnant after being raped, as part of the hearing for House Bill 598, otherwise known as “The Human Life Protection Act.”

“It is a shame that it happens, but there’s an opportunity for that woman, no matter how young or old she is, to make a determination about what she’s going to do to help that life be a productive human being,” State Rep. Jean Schmidt (R) said.

The proposed legislation would punish anyone who performed an abortion in the state of Ohio, without granting a loophole in cases of rape or incest should Roe v. Wade be overturned in the Supreme Court as early as this summer. If it is overturned, individual states will be able to determine what they will allow.

Brown pressed Schmidt about potential emotional and psychological damages to the 13-year-old for being forced to give birth to the baby.

“Rape is a difficult issue and it emotionally scars the individual, all or in part, for the rest of their life, just as child abuse does. But if a baby is created, it is a human life,” Schmidt responded.

Schmidt also noted that giving birth to the baby didn’t mean the 13-year-old would have to raise the child. She mentioned alternatives like giving the baby to a family member to raise or putting the child up for adoption.

“And that child can grow up and be something magnificent: a wonderful family person, a [person who would] cure cancer, etc.,” Schmidt added. “Just because you have emotional scars doesn’t give you the right to take the life.”