08/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 12:44
A new report exposes vulnerable New York Republican Mike Lawler for cozying up to crisis pregnancy centers, deceptive clinics that misinform women about their reproductive health.
Throughout his career, Lawler has donated to crisis pregnancy centers, touted their fundraisers, and voted to fund them with taxpayer dollars. Lawler has repeatedly promoted these dangerous clinics, including those operated in New York's 17th Congressional District.
On the campaign trail, Mike Lawler has deceptively tried to soften his anti-abortion record in the midst of a tough re-election.
In reality, Lawler has praised the disastrous overturning of Roe v. Wade, voted twice to restrict abortion care for service members and their families, and embraced Donald Trump's Project 2025 platform to roll back abortion rights nationwide.
DCCC Spokesperson Ellie Dougherty:
"Mike Lawler not only backing but funding anti-abortion clinics, including in New York's 17th Congressional District, puts Lower Hudson Valley women directly in harm's way - and is exactly why he'll be rejected by voters in November."
American Journal News: Rep. Mike Lawler backed fake abortion clinics linked to disinformation campaigns
August 28, 2024 | Jesse Valentine
KEY POINTS:
Republican U.S. House Rep. Mike Lawler has a record of supporting crisis pregnancy centers, facilities known for spreading disinformation about reproductive health.
Throughout his career, Lawler has publicly and financially supported Care Net, an evangelical Christian organization that operates crisis pregnancy centers in multiple states, including New York. Multiple Google reviews have accused Care Net Pregnancy of Rockland, which is located in Lawler's district, of being a fake clinic that manipulates women.
In May, Lawler spoke at a Care Net Pregnancy of Rockland event.
Lawler spoke at a Care Net Pregnancy of Rockland fundraiser in October 2023. A week before the event, Lawler's campaign contributed $500 to Care Net. At the event, Lawler posed for a photo with Sandra Leon, the director of Net Pregnancy of Rockland.
Lawler indicated in a social media post that Leon personally invited him to the fundraiser.
Lawler has also supported crisis pregnancy centers legislatively. In January, he backed the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. This bill would prohibit states from putting limitations on federal funds going to crisis pregnancy centers.
Former President Donald Trump has openly praised the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which removed federal protection for abortion rights and gave states the power to impose abortion bans. In an April interview with News Nation, Lawler agreed, saying Trump was right to celebrate the ruling.