Trent Franks: ‘Incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low’

In a further demonstration that reproductive rights should not be left to politicians with very little understanding of biology, Representative Trent Franks reiterated the false belief that few women ever get pregnant from rape.

The author of a bill that would ban abortions nationwide after 20 weeks said Wednesday that the rate of pregnancies resulting from rape is “very low.”

Democrats immediately pounced on the remark made by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) at a House Judiciary Committee hearing as reminiscent of comments made by Senate candidate Todd Akin last year.

 

The committee was considering amendments to Franks’s bill. Franks opposed an amendment that would include exceptions for rape and incest to the 20-week abortion ban.

 

“The incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low,” Franks said.

 

Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California objected to his statement, calling it “astonishing” in light of the controversial remarks from Akin and other GOP candidates last year.

 

“The idea that the Republican men on this committee think they can tell the women of America that they have to carry to term the product of a rape is outrageous,” Lofgren said.

 

Akin received significant blowback last August for saying that the victims of “legitimate rape” very rarely get pregnant because their bodies prevent them from doing so.

 

The amendment providing an exception for rape and incest was defeated along party lines.