'A deficit in your understanding': Ayanna Pressley corrects anti-choice lawyer on ectopic pregnancies

United States Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts) sparred with Erin Morrow Hawley – the wife of Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and senior counsel for the right-wing anti-choice organization Alliance Defending Freedom – during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on Wednesday over what medical options exist for terminating an ectopic pregnancy.

Pressley asked Hawley to provide a percentage of ectopic pregnancies that can be carried to term. Hawley correctly responded with "zero," but insisted that saving the life of the parent in instances where the ectopic pregnancy ruptures is not "abortion."

Pressley was unimpressed, however, noting that "there seems to be a deficit in your understanding of reproductive health. In fact, I want the record to reflect that according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, treatment for ectopic pregnancy requires ending a non-viable pregnancy."

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Hawley responded, "with respect, ma'am, that's not an abortion."

Pressley continued.

"This is my time, I asked you the question, you answered, and I am now providing you with accurate information from medical experts. My question was, when an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, what are the chances it can be safely carried to term? The answer is zero percent," she said. "Further, when it comes to one's accurate understanding of reproductive health and abortion care with an ectopic pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says, 'treatment for ectopic pregnancy requires ending a non-viable pregnancy.'"

Hawley then revealed why she believes that terminating "life-threatening" ectopic pregnancies should not count as abortions.

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"That's not an abortion because it does not have the intent to end the life of the child," Hawley snapped.

"Reclaiming my time," Pressley pressed on. "I'm now going to turn over to the real experts."

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