Yesli Vega Faces Criticism 10 Years After Todd Akin’s “Legitimate Rape” Comments

Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.

Ten years ago, on August 19, 2012, Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin falsely claimed that in cases of a “legitimate rape,” women are less likely to become pregnant because “the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down.” Akin was slammed for being “so ignorant about the emotional and physical trauma brought on by rape,” and Republican leadership immediately tried to push him out of the race:

This year Yesli Vega, Republican candidate in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, echoed that deeply offensive rhetoric when she claimed that victims of rape are less likely to get pregnant.

The only thing that’s different? Yesli Vega has refused to apologize for her dangerous comments, and Republican leadership has continued to back her campaign.

“Todd Akin’s disgraceful lie that ‘legitimate rape’ can’t result in pregnancy cost him his election, and Yesli Vega will get the same treatment,” said DCCC spokesperson Monica Robinson. “Every day that the NRCC and Republican leadership don’t condemn Vega for her dangerous rhetoric is further evidence that the Republican Party can’t be trusted to stand up for Virginia women and their rights.”