Idaho Republican Sorry for Comparing Women’s Health to Milking Cows
- An Idaho Republican reported his encounter milking dairy cows available insights into reproductive health care.
- Idaho Rep. Jack Nelsen apologized for the remark, expressing he respected women’s “suitable to select.”
- Earlier this month, US Supreme Courtroom upheld Idaho’s in close proximity to-overall abortion ban, which has few exceptions.
A freshly-elected Idaho lawmaker apologized immediately after he compared reproductive health guidelines to his practical experience milking cows as a farmer.
Republican Rep. Jack Nelsen explained he was “humiliated” that he advised his working experience as a “lifelong dairy farmer” provided him insight into reproductive concerns, according to the Idaho Statesman.
“I have milked a couple of cows, expended most of my time going for walks driving strains of cows, so if you want some tips on repro and the women’s well being point, I have some definite thoughts,” Nelson mentioned with a laugh in the course of a assembly of the state’s House Agricultural Affairs Committee, for each the Statesman.
The remark sparked immediate backlash from Idaho’s Democratic social gathering, who tweeted a video clip of the incident, adding that “politicians like Jack Nelsen have no small business mandating our reproductive health and fitness care decisions.”
—Idaho Democratic Get together (@IdahoDems) January 12, 2023
Before this month, the US Supreme Courtroom upheld Idaho’s close to-complete abortion ban, which has exceptions for rape, incest, and saving a pregnant patient’s daily life.
Nelsen mentioned in a assertion to the Statesman that he was “ashamed” and “offended other people,” the outlet noted.
“The way I phrased my statement about girls and reproductive legal rights yesterday absolutely missed the mark,” Nelson stated, for each the Statesman. “I am deeply sorry. I realize the mistake and dedicate to performing superior in the long term.”
According to the Statesman, Nelson stated through his campaign that the authorities should not be included in abortion treatment, a sentiment he recurring in his apology.
“I absolutely respect women and the correct to select their possess overall health treatment,” Nelson explained in his statement, for every the Statesman. “I have normally operated and will go on to operate under the standard that the authorities does not belong in the doctor’s workplace.”
A spokesperson for Nelson did not promptly respond to Insider’s request for remark on Saturday.