The abortion debate has brought spirited and partisan exchanges from Kentucky lawmakers.
The state ranked 19th in a national survey by the pro-choice Guttmacher Institute on abortion restrictions,
The Washington Post noted.
GOP presidential candidate Rand Paul, a senator from Kentucky, hit back in May 2015 against the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee when he was questioned by reporters on
his abortion stance, CNN reported.
Vote Now: Do You Support Tougher Regulations on Abortion Clinics?
"Why don't you ask the DNC, 'Is it OK to kill a seven-pound baby in the uterus?'" Paul sharply told reporters after an Associated Press story suggested he was not forthright in talking about his views.
"You go back and you ask Debbie Wasserman Schultz if she's okay with killing a seven-pound baby that is just not yet born yet. Ask her when life begins, and you ask Debbie when she's willing to protect life," Paul said, according to CNN, noting that often complex abortion questions seemed to always be focused on Republicans with Democrats not having to answer. "When you get an answer from Debbie, come back to me."
Wasserman Shultz responded, in an email, CNN noted. "I support letting women and their doctors make this decision without government getting involved. Period. End of story. Now your turn, Senator Paul."
She added: "We know you want to allow government officials like yourself to make this decision for women — but do you stand by your opposition to any exceptions, even when it comes to rape, incest, or life of the mother? Or do we just have different definitions of 'personal liberty'? And I'd appreciate it if you could respond without 'shushing' me."
Paul later responded, when questioned by CNN's Wolf Blitzer: "Sounds like her answer is yes, that she's okay with killing a seven-pound baby," he said.
Urgent: How Do You Feel About Stronger Regulations on Abortion Clinics?
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.