Oversight Democrats Call on Issa to Condemn Limbaugh’s Attack Against Women and Contraceptives

Washington, DC—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and 14 Democratic Committee Members sent a letter requesting that Chairman Darrell Issa join them in strongly condemning vicious remarks made by radio host Rush Limbaugh about Sandra Fluke, the third-year student at Georgetown law school who was denied the opportunity to testify at the Committee's hearing on contraceptives on February 16, 2012.

"Yesterday's statements by Rush Limbaugh were a vicious assault, not only against Ms. Fluke but against women across the country who rely on birth control and want it covered by their health insurance policies," the Democrats wrote. "As the Chairman of the Committee that first attempted to silence Ms. Fluke and prevent her from testifying, you are in a unique position to speak out now on her behalf and to join us in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, this very public and very malicious attack on all women who share her views."

Limbaugh's statements continue a troubling nationwide campaign to roll back access to contraceptives for millions of women across the country. Earlier today, the Senate narrowly defeated Republican legislation to allow any employer to deny coverage for any contraceptives or other medical treatments they believe contradict their undefined "moral convictions."

Below is the full letter.

March 1, 2012

The Honorable Darrell E. Issa
Chairman
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We are writing to ask that you, as the Chairman of the Oversight Committee, join us in a bipartisan manner to strongly condemn the recent statements by radio host Rush Limbaugh regarding Ms. Sandra Fluke, the third-year student at Georgetown law school whom we sought to have testify at the Committee's hearing on contraceptives on February 16, 2012.

As you know, Committee Democrats requested Ms. Fluke's testimony to highlight the critical importance of insurance coverage for preventive health care, including contraceptives, to millions of women across the country. After you refused to allow Ms. Fluke to testify before our Committee, she appeared before the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and she conducted herself with intelligence, dignity, and sincerity.

Yesterday's statements by Rush Limbaugh were a vicious assault, not only against Ms. Fluke but against women across the country who rely on birth control and want it covered by their health insurance policies. The pill has had a profound impact on their well-being, allowing them to control their lives, make very personal decisions about how many children to have and when to have them, and in some cases treat critical illnesses.

As the Chairman of the Committee that first attempted to silence Ms. Fluke and prevent her from testifying, you are in a unique position to speak out now on her behalf and to join us in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, this very public and very malicious attack on all women who share her views.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,

Elijah E. Cummings Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Member Member

Eleanor Holmes Norton Stephen F. Lynch
Member Member

Jim Cooper Peter Welch
Member Member

Jackie Speier Christopher S. Murphy
Member Member

John Yarmuth John F. Tierney
Member Member

Bruce Braley Danny K. Davis
Member Member

Mike Quigley Gerald E. Connolly
Member Member

Dennis J. Kucinich
Member