Hearing Turned Heated: Rep. Brandon Gill Questions Reproductive Scholar On ‘Favorite’ Abortion Method

A House Judiciary hearing on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., meant to address a piece of abortion rights legislation, turned tense as Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX) asked a reproductive rights law expert to answer what her “favorite” abortion method was. 

American University Senior Scholar Jessica Waters testified before the committee defending the FACE Act, a federal law that protects anyone obtaining or providing reproductive health services, including abortion and fertility clinics. 

“You’re an advocate for abortion,” Rep Gill said at the hearing. “Do you have a preferred method of abortion that you like?” 

Waters answered that she did not. Gill then listed several different abortion methods in detail. 

"This is when the cervix is dilated and a strong suction, 29 times the power of a household vacuum cleaner, tears the baby’s body apart and sucks it through the hose into a container,” he said. “Do you prefer that method?"

Waters said she stood by her prior testimony and tried to redirect the discussion to the FACE Act. Gill asked why she didn’t want to talk about "abortion itself” if she was an advocate. 

“It’s uncomfortable to hear about this,” Gill said. “Because it’s barbaric and evil.”