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April 11, 2024
David Schweikert Admits “I Don’t Know” What Is In The Abortion Ban He’s Championed Six Times
Schweikert’s “Life At Conception Act” Bans Abortion, IVF, Fertility Treatments
Phoenix, AZ – Today, David Schweikert admitted he didn’t know whether the bill he’s repeatedly helped introduce in Congress would enact a nationwide ban on abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court made an abortion ban from 1864 the law of the land. The ban criminalizes anyone who helps a woman who has an abortion, including doctors, nurses, friends, and family members.
Abortion will be a decisive issue in the 2024 election, just as it was in 2022, and it’s no surprise that David Schweikert is running away from his record on this issue. In Congress, Schweikert cosponsored the Life At Conception Act — a bill imposing a nationwide ban on abortion, as well as on IVF and fertility treatments — six times. And when the United States Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, Schweikert said he was “pleased” about the decision.
The Arizona Republic reported (emphasis added):
- On Wednesday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee deployed a “mobile billboard” truck to traverse Schweikert’s district … The mobile billboard bore the message: “David Schweikert supported a bill that could outlaw IVF nationwide.”
- In an interview, Schweikert countered that the billboard’s claim was misleading.
- “The magic word there is ‘could.’ But I don’t think it does (outlaw IVF),” he said.
- Pressed on specific language in the bill, the congressman replied, “I don’t know” whether it would call into question the legality of IVF, and said it was meant as a statement of anti-abortion principles.
“Either David Schweikert doesn’t understand the very real consequences of these draconian abortion bans he’s championed, or he doesn’t care. Neither is acceptable and it’s exactly why voters are sick of career politicians like him who lie about their record,” said Marlene Galán-Woods. “It’s time to replace him with an honest truth-teller who will protect our rights. I’m a mother and a grandmother, and the only woman in this race. No one will fight harder than me to protect our fundamental freedoms, including the right to have an abortion, in Congress.”
Galán-Woods is the only woman running for Arizona’s First Congressional District. She is endorsed by EMILYs List, former Governor Janet Napolitano, and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Arizona’s First Congressional District has been identified as one of the top pickup opportunities for Democrats to flip the House of Representatives. The Cook Political Report has rated this district a toss-up and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named AZ-01 as one of their top priorities this cycle.
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Marlene Galán Woods is a 36-year Arizona resident, former broadcast journalist and mother of five children. Her parents fled communist Cuba looking for a better life for their children. Their risk paid off when Marlene moved to Arizona in the 1980s— it’s where she began her career as a broadcast journalist, where she met the love of her life, and where they would raise a family together.
While Marlene’s late husband, Grant Woods, served as Arizona’s Attorney General, Marlene was exposing corruption and holding the powerful accountable during her 20-year journalism career.
Outside of their respective careers, Marlene and Grant were dedicated to improving the lives of Arizona children, from serving on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley to spearheading a local tennis tournament that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help underserved kids to helping found the Phoenix Children’s Museum. She is running to be Arizona’s voice — to represent our priorities and protect our freedoms. She will be the courageous, truthful leader Arizona has earned.
Though Marlene’s philanthropic efforts have focused on improving the lives of Arizona’s children, she has a passion for preserving and expanding the individual freedoms of all Arizonans.
She is a lifelong supporter of a woman’s right to choose and couldn’t stand by idly watching ongoing attacks on our voting rights.
In 2022, Marlene chaired the campaign of Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and led a group of former journalists in calling out Republican candidates, namely Kari Lake, for their attacks on the media while spreading disinformation. Marlene’s dedication to the preservation of our democracy was recognized by Governor Katie Hobbs’ who invited Marlene to serve on her transition committee.