Powell Calls on Cantor to Explain Association with Embroiled Senate Candidate Todd Akin

Wayne Powell, Congressional candidate in Virginia's 7th District, today called on his opponent, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, to explain his co-sponsorship of 32 abortion bills with Rep. Todd Akin and to denounce his candidacy for the U.S Senate seat in Missouri. Akin told a St. Louis news station on Sunday that "legitimate rape" rarely causes pregnancy, saying, "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

"Cantor's and Akin's abortion votes clearly show they are a mirror image of each other," said Powell. "The only difference is Akin talked about his."

Cantor, whose PAC has provided money to Akin in the past, has been a driving force behind Akin's abortion-related bills. This includes HR 3, a bill that he co-sponsored with Akin, which initially banned taxpayer funding for abortions with a rape exception, but only for "forcible rape."

"While prominent Republicans across America have chastised Akin, Cantor has been completely silent on Akin's totally ignorant claim," Powell said. "The reason he's been quiet is simple. Cantor and Akin are joined at the hip on the issue. They co-sponsored 32 different bills attacking the individual rights of women."

32 Bills Canot Co-Sponsored with Akin


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