Duckworth Issues Statement After Joe Walsh Declares "It's not about women" While Hearing From All Male Panel on Contraception

Yesterday, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing entitled 'Separation of Church and State.' The Committee’s majority did not allow a single woman to serve as a witness at the hearing, despite being held in response to the Obama Administration's recent contraception decision. During the hearing, Tea Party Congressman Joe Walsh who serves on the Committee declared that it was “not about women." Congressional Candidate Tammy Duckworth issued the following statement in response to the Committee's decision and Walsh's remarks:

"Contraception is a basic part of women's health care and I am saddened to see yet another important issue become a pawn in the political minefield in Washington. I am shocked by Congressman Walsh's remarks. To claim that a discussion regarding access to birth control isn't about women is yet another example of how out of touch he is. The people of the 8th District want someone in Congress who will work to protect their privacy and their health, not someone who will trade the best interests of women and their families for cheap political gains."