EMILYs List Statement on Rep. Jason Lewis’ Comments Mocking Sexual Assault Survivors
For Immediate Release
October 19, 2018
EMILYs List Statement on Rep. Jason Lewis’ Comments Mocking Sexual Assault Survivors
Washington, D.C. — Today CNN reported additional shameful remarks from Rep. Jason Lewis (MN-02) when he was a radio host, this time mocking sexual assault survivors. Previous reporting uncovered homophobic, misogynistic, and racist statements by Lewis. Christina Reynolds, vice president of communications at EMILYs List, released the following statement:
“Jason Lewis is a despicable person who continues to prove how unfit he is for public office. If you’re using a ‘free speech’ argument to defend being a terrible person, you’re doing it wrong. If you're mocking survivors or arguing sexual harassment doesn't exist, you're doing it wrong. Lewis’ defeat on November 6th can’t come soon enough.”
BACKGROUND:
CNN: GOP Rep. Jason Lewis once mocked women who felt traumatized by unwanted touching
“How many women at some point in their life have a man come on to them, place their hand on their shoulder or maybe even their thigh, kiss them, and they would rather not have it happen, but is that really something that's going to be seared in your memory that you'll need therapy for? […] You'll never get over? It was the most traumatizing experience? Come on! She wasn't raped.”
BuzzFeed News: A Republican Lawmaker Seeking Reelection Once Compared Gay People To “Rapists” And Other Criminals
“I’ll probably get in trouble for this, but I’m still not convinced that it’s a great idea for children to grow up with two moms or two dads. […] Maybe it could harm the kid.”
“Now, you've got the modern welfare state that tells black folks and Hispanic folks and poor white folks: 'Don't worry. We'll take care of you.' What is the difference? You've substituted one plantation for another.”
CNN: GOP congressman said blacks have 'entitlement mentality' and view themselves as victims
“There's a cultural problem in the African-American community that is leading to this. The entitlement mentality,” Lewis said in December 2012. “You're a victim. It's OK to hate women, beat up women. It's OK to hate gays. All this, we're just sort of feeding this to people who are very lost because of the breakdown of society to begin with.”
CNN: A GOP congressman once lamented not being able to call women 'sluts' anymore
“But it used to be that women were held to a little bit of a higher standard. We required modesty from women. Now, are we beyond those days where a woman can behave as a slut, but you can't call her a slut?”
