Wow John Boehner, wow

John BoehnerYesterday John Boehner, who’s already been busy as Speaker of the House trying to defund Planned Parenthood and attacking abortion, had this to say about President Obama’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) decision:

While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.

No seriously? Is he trying to make a joke? I mean, really?

President Obama instructed the Justice Department to stop defending DOMA. That’s less work for government to do! And I think we’ve all learned by now that gay marriage won’t lead to people sleeping with their plants and the sky falling. John Boehner and his colleagues in the House are spending their valuable time in session going after abortion and Planned Parenthood at whatever cost, including holding up the budget process. Literally getting in the way of creating jobs and cutting spending. Actually would be destroying a lot of jobs if the attack on Planned Parenthood was successful. So, um, who’s stirring up a controversial issue to divide people again?

Look, it’s an avoid-y statement focused on jobs instead of attacking gay marriage, probably because Boehner knows he’s lost this one. But in light of his recent actions the statement is empty, cynical politics and yet more of an insult to people in the US who really do need jobs – as well as legal rights and abortions.

Boston, MA

Jos Truitt is Executive Director of Development at Feministing. She joined the team in July 2009, became an Editor in August 2011, and Executive Director in September 2013. She writes about a range of topics including transgender issues, abortion access, and media representation. Jos first got involved with organizing when she led a walk out against the Iraq war at her high school, the Boston Arts Academy. She was introduced to the reproductive justice movement while at Hampshire College, where she organized the Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program’s annual reproductive justice conference. She has worked on the National Abortion Federation’s hotline, was a Field Organizer at Choice USA, and has volunteered as a Pro-Choice Clinic Escort. Jos has written for publications including The Guardian, Bilerico, RH Reality Check, Metro Weekly, and the Columbia Journalism Review. She has spoken and trained at numerous national conferences and college campuses about trans issues, reproductive justice, blogging, feminism, and grassroots organizing. Jos completed her MFA in Printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute in Spring 2013. In her "spare time" she likes to bake and work on projects about mermaids.

Jos Truitt is an Executive Director of Feministing in charge of Development.

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