Ohio Republican Lawmaker Under Fire For Saying Pregnancy From Rape Is An 'Opportunity' For The Victim

A Republican lawmaker in Ohio’s House of Representatives has crafted legislation that would outlaw abortion except in cases where it threatens the life of a child. Left out was any exception for pregnancies from rape and the representative is under fire for her comments justifying the exclusion.

Rep. Jean Schmidt of Ohio’s 58th District introduced House Bill 598 (HB 598), titled the Human Life Protection Act, that outlined a sweeping set of restrictions that if enacted would sharply limit opportunities for women seeking an abortion. Speaking on the exclusion of cases of rape-induced pregnancies, Schmidt sparked outrage for her reasoning as to why these exceptions were absent.

Schmidt called rape a "difficult issue" that scars the victim but went on to say abortion would do nothing to remove the emotional trauma endured. Instead, she described the pregnancy as an “opportunity” for the mother to give the child a better upbringing.

“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,” Schmidt said after Democratic Rep. Rich Brown posed a hypothetical question on whether a pregnant 13-year old rape victim would qualify for an abortion under this law.

Schmidt went on to say: "Just because you have emotional scars doesn’t give you the right to take a life.”

Her words sparked an immediate outcry. The Ohio Democratic Party issued a statement calling the remarks "vile" and calling on Schmidt to apologize to every victim of sexual assault and withdraw her bill. Advocacy groups also spoke out against Schmidt, arguing that her words embodied the urgency of the fight against HB 598.

"It doesn't matter what that person's reason is for having an abortion, they need to have access to abortion in their community without stigma, judgment or delay," said Jaime Miracle, the deputy director of the abortion advocacy group Pro-Choice Ohio. "They need the abortion that they have decided is best for them and their family."

Ohio’s proposed bill is being proposed as a trigger ban that would immediately go into effect if the United States Supreme Court were to go ahead and overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the right to an abortion. It would be the latest in a series of bills passed in Republican-led states that strictly limit access to abortion and similarly exclude exceptions for rape or incest victims.

Schmidt herself has been evasive in issuing further comments about the bill despite being the chief sponsor of it. One local reporter attempted to ask her why she refused to answer questions about the bill and accused the reporter of bullying her.