Speaking at CNN’s “Climate Crisis” town hall event last week, Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders appeared to suggest that abortion could be used as a tool for controlling population numbers in poor countries causing Christians and pro-life advocates to speak out.
“During CNN’s #ClimateTownHall, Bernie Sanders said YOUR tax dollars should be used to fund abortions in foreign countries to reduce population size,” tweeted Congressman Steve Scalise. “Are you kidding?? That’s horrifying, and tells you just how little regard radical liberals have for innocent life.”
During CNN’s #ClimateTownHall, Bernie Sanders said YOUR tax dollars should be used to fund abortions in foreign countries to reduce population size.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) September 5, 2019
Are you kidding?? That’s horrifying, and tells you just how little regard radical liberals have for innocent life. pic.twitter.com/6yj8e5zzDk
Pro-life campaigner Obianuju Ekeocha also expressed her horror. “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!!! An American presidential candidate speaks about how important it is for America to fund the abortion in poor third world countries,” she tweeted. “I repeat, @BernieSanders wants America to fund the killing of Africa’s unborn babies,” Ekeocha asserted.
Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!!!
— Obianuju Ekeocha (@obianuju) September 5, 2019
An American presidential candidate speaks about how important it is for America to fund the abortion in poor third world countries.
I repeat, @BernieSanders wants America to fund the killing of Africa’s unborn babies!pic.twitter.com/7CBHS2nG09
Lila Rose, the founder and president of pro-life organization Live Action, slammed the comments as a “disgusting” form of “leftist elitism.”
She wrote, “What do “women in poor countries around the world” need, according to @BernieSanders? Not healthcare, clean water, education, infrastructure or jobs. Send them birth control & abortions, because their children are the problem, not poverty. Leftist elitism is disgusting.”
What do “women in poor countries around the world” need, according to @BernieSanders?
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) September 5, 2019
Not healthcare, clean water, education, infrastructure or jobs
Send them birth control & abortions, because their children are the problem, not poverty
Leftist elitism is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/uCWBK8Nvjf
Ben Shapiro from the Daily Wire added, “Nothing to see here, just Bernie Sanders talking about funding abortion of unborn children in poor countries, disproportionately babies of color, in order to fight climate change.”
Nothing to see here, just Bernie Sanders talking about funding abortion of unborn children in poor countries, disproportionately babies of color, in order to fight climate change https://t.co/wOD3gttA15
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 5, 2019
Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress also commented on the situation while seemingly simultaneously endorsing President Trump for re-election. He tweeted, “Bernie Sanders proposes abortion to solve climate change problem. I’ll discuss how such a barbaric idea will push faith voters to support President @realdonaldtrump by an even LARGER margin in 2020.”
Bernie Sanders proposes abortion to solve climate change problem. I’ll discuss how such a barbaric idea will push faith voters to support President @realdonaldtrump by an even LARGER margin in 2020 on “@LouDobbs Tonight” at 7 and 10pm ET on @FoxBusiness.
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) September 6, 2019
President of March for Life, Jeanne Mancini regarded Sanders’ comments in a statement as “despicable” and “wildly out of touch with mainstream America,” the Catholic News Agency reports.
As Christian Headlines previously reported, Sanders made these remarks while responding to a question from the audience about the issue of overpopulation, and the adverse effect that a burgeoning population has on the climate. “The planet cannot sustain this growth,” the woman said, before asking Sanders if he would actively tackle the issue.
“Yes,” Bernie said, noting that “the answer has everything to do with the fact that women in the United States of America, by the way, have a right to control their own bodies and make reproductive decisions.”
Sanders went on to say that he would support US taxpayer-funded abortions in foreign countries -- something that is currently prohibited under the Mexico City Agreement.
“The Mexico City agreement, which denies American aide to those organizations around the world that allow women to have abortions, or even get involved in birth control, to me is totally absurd,” Sanders continued, according to the Hill.
“So I think, especially in poor countries around the world where women do not necessarily want to have large numbers of babies, and where they can have the opportunity through birth control to control the number of kids they have, is something I very, very strongly support.”
Sanders is currently polling in third place behind Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Democratic frontrunner, Joe Biden.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Justin Sullivan/Staff
