From Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07)’s reelection campaign:
Vega Denies Comments on Rape-Related Pregnancies that Were Caught on Tape
Vega on Sexual Assault Comments: “Those Were Never My Comments ”
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – In an interview last night with CBS19 News, Yesli Vega said her recorded comments doubting rape-related pregnancies “were never my comments.”
Over the summer, Vega, a former police officer, was asked if it’s harder for a woman to get pregnant from rape. She responded:
“It wouldn’t surprise me. Because it’s not something that’s happening organically. You’re forcing it.”
“Yesli Vega is trying to erase her comments on rape-related pregnancies, because she now understands just how far out of step she is with Virginians,” said Justin Chermol, Press Secretary, Abigail Spanberger for Congress. “Virginia voters won’t be fooled. Ever since Yesli Vega began campaigning, she has offended Virginia women – and Virginia families – for doubting the likelihood that victims of rape can become pregnant and supporting government-mandated pregnancies with no exceptions.”
BACKGROUND
Yesli Vega doubted the likelihood that women who are raped can become pregnant, and made clear in endorsement questionnaires that she supports a nationwide ban on abortion. In audio uncovered by a local news outlet, Vega said only God – not a doctor or healthcare provider – can determine the life of the mother. Additionally, Vega would vote for a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion nationally and cosposor the Life at Conception Act — a bill that would ban abortion nationwide with no exceptions.
Vega welcomed the endorsement from the Susan B. Anthony List, a fervently anti-choice group that seeks to “end abortion,” restrict abortion exceptions for rape and incest, and oppose a woman’s right to access IUDs and the morning-after pill.
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7) is the only pro-choice, pro-marriage equality, and pro-privacy candidate in the race for Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District.
Spanberger has been a vocal advocate for safeguarding the rights of all Virginians. Spanberger has voted with a majority in the U.S. House to protect the rights to contraception, same-sex marriage, interstate travel for reproductive care, and twice to codify Roe v. Wade.
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Here’s the audio clip in question: pic.twitter.com/0k6iBA2bUA
— Ned Oliver (@nedoliver) June 27, 2022
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