Wisconsin GOP Lawmaker Says His ‘Veterinary Career’ Makes Him An Expert On Abortion During Debate Over 14-Week Ban

Wisconsin is the latest state to be plunged into turmoil over the abortion debate.

Wisconsin Republicans, who control the state assembly, passed a bill limiting abortion access to women pregnant for 14 weeks or less. The current state law is abortions up to 20 weeks. The bill was passed by a margin of 53-46, with ten Republicans voting against it.

While debating the bill, state Rep. Joel Kitchens (R) made a bizarre comment about women’s reproductive care. “You know in my veterinary career, I did thousands of ultrasounds on animals, you know, determining pregnancy and that kind of thing. So I think I know mammalian fetal development better than probably anyone here. And in my mind, there’s absolutely no question that’s a life, and I think science backs me up on that.”

Kitchens was slammed on X for his remarks. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert on authoritarianism, said, “Misogyny in action – women, animals, it’s all the same.”

Misogyny in action- women, animals, it's all the same. https://t.co/3GXHJEdB6h

— Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) January 25, 2024

Co-host of The Weekend on MSNBC Symone Sanders Townsend posted, “Women = animals? Mmm.”

The bill will now move to the state senate, and then on to Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) desk, where if it does make it there he has vowed to veto.

“The people of Wisconsin have already made themselves clear on this issue, and so have I,” he said. “I promise to veto any bill that takes away Wisconsinite’s reproductive freedom.”

A once constitutionally settled matter became uncertain once more in 2022 when the conservative super-majority in the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade. States are now free to make their own abortion laws.