Faux Outrage: Donnelly Co-Sponsored Legislation Denying Abortion Funding To Rape Victims

As I wrote last night, I cannot defend Richard Mourdock's statement on abortion during last night's debate that a child conceived as a consequence of rape was something "God intended." Mourdock's Democratic opponent, Joe Donnelly, was quick to condemn Mourdock's statement.  "What Mr. Mourdock said is shocking, and it is stunning that he would be so disrespectful to survivors of rape," Donnelly said in a statement released shortly after last night's debate. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is busy doing damage control this morning for Mourdock and his fellow Republicans, reminds us that it was Donnelly who co-sponsored legislation that would have denied abortion funding for victims of rape and incest. The bill's only exception was for "forcible rape." In defending his support of that legislation, Donnelly's campaign stated that the purpose of the legislation was "to ensure that no federal dollars go toward funding of abortion-related services. That was the original intention of the legislation, not to redefine rape." Mike Pence also supported this same legislation. Yes, both Donnelly and Mourdock are pro-life. Here's the statement released by Sen. John Cornyn, Chairman of the NRSC:

“Richard and I, along with millions of Americans – including even Joe Donnelly – believe that life is a gift from God.  To try and construe his words as anything other than a restatement of that belief is irresponsible and ridiculous.  In fact, rather than condemning him for his position, as some in his party have when it’s come to Republicans, I commend Congressman Donnelly for his support of life.   

“But this election is about big ideas and the reality that our country is going in the wrong direction.  If you support Obamacare, government bailouts, reckless spending and higher taxes than you should vote for Joe Donnelly.  But if you believe, as I do, that our government is too big, our taxes are too high, and we are passing an irresponsible debt onto future generations, than Richard Mourdock is your candidate to help get our country back on track.”