Cisneros calls out House Democratic leadership for supporting anti-abortion Cuellar

[brooklynite]

Politico

Democratic House challenger Jessica Cisneros has generally stayed silent about her party leadership’s endorsement of Rep. Henry Cuellar in their primary. But Cuellar’s staunch anti-abortion stance is giving Cisneros another opportunity to boost her profile.

The progressive challenger on Wednesday called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her lieutenants to withdraw their endorsement of Cuellar as part of the Democratic Party’s efforts to protect abortion rights. The party is looking into ways to enshrine abortion rights into law after POLITICO reported a draft majority Supreme Court opinion striking down Roe v. Wade.

“I am calling on Democratic Party leadership to withdraw their support of Henry Cuellar who is the last anti-choice Democrat in the House,” Cisneros said in a statement on Wednesday. “With the House majority on the line, he could very much be the deciding vote on the future of our reproductive rights and we cannot afford to take that risk.”

Her statement came hours before Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was set to rally in Laredo with Cuellar Wednesday evening, three weeks before the Democratic primary runoff for the South Texas district. Notably, Pelosi and other leaders also continued to support Cuellar after his home was raided by the FBI. Cisneros finished a point and a half behind Cuellar in the March primary, but neither reached majority support, triggering the one-on-one runoff.

[kentuck]

1. Is he anti-choice, also?

One can be "anti-abortion", on religious grounds, but still recognize the rights of women to choose what they do with their bodies.

There is a distinction.

[JohnSJ]

5. An important distinction

[Solly Mack]

14. A quote from him.

“By the way, when people frame this as ‘women’s health’ … if you want to call it abortion, call it abortion, please call it abortion,” Cuellar said. “Women’s health — I have added money for healthcare for women. I got two daughters and I surely want to make sure that we fight breast cancer and other things that affect mothers, so I have added millions of dollars on healthcare for women. But if you want to call it abortion, call it abortion. It’s not a health issue.”

He doesn't think abortion is a health care issue for women. Sounds like he is anti-choice.

He also said:

“It’s called conscience,” Cuellar said. “I am a Catholic, and I do believe in rights and right to life. … Sometimes people vote because of political (views), they think this is a Democratic or Republican issue. To me, it’s a matter of conscience.”

So he does base his opposition to the full range of health care issues for women on his religious beliefs.

As abortion is, in fact, a health care issue for women, regardless of how one chooses to define it. Breast cancer is, of course - but so is abortion. To support the full range of health care issues for women also means support for abortion.

[PoliticAverse]

15. Cuellar voted against the House bill codifying Roe. n/t

[AntivaxHunters]

2. I hope she wins

She almost beat him last time and I think this, with everything going on with abortion, she's going to.

[Emile]

3. Why would Nancy endorse an anti-choice candidate?

[JohnSJ]

8. Nothing is that simple, and it might have to do with who she expects has a better chance to win in

the general election, I don't know.

At this point in time, and with the narrow margins we have, as long as it remains blue, until we have a substantial majority in both the House and Senate, I feel maintaining the majority is most critical

Why did Sanders support Heath Mellow in Nebraska who was anti-choice? I assume as similar calculus played into that

[tishaLA]

4. Politico and its right wing framing. "Anti-abortion" SMH

[JohnSJ]

6. You noticed that too. The headline, "called out House". The actual article, "called on House"

[DLevine]

9. Calls out is correct. nt

[JohnSJ]

10. Did you read the actual quote from Cisneros?

“I am calling on Democratic Party leadership to withdraw their support of Henry Cuellar who is the last anti-choice Democrat in the House,” Cisneros said in a statement on Wednesday. “With the House majority on the line, he could very much be the deciding vote on the future of our reproductive rights and we cannot afford to take that risk.”

[DLevine]

11. Sorry, I meant the headline is Politico's actual headline.

Your quote is correct. I misunderstood your point.

[JohnSJ]

12. I probably didn't express it well. Thanks

[DLevine]

13. You expressed it just fine, my reading comprehension sucks lately! nt

[mountain grammy]

7. Cisneros was endorsed by Elizabeth Warren..

that's good enough for me.