“Is it because it’s uncomfortable to talk about? It should be uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want to talk about this either if I were you.”
On Tuesday, Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) grilled an abortion “scholar” on her “favorite methods” for terminating a baby in the mother’s womb, sparking a tense exchange during a House Judiciary hearing on the FACE Act.
“What’s your favorite type of abortion?” Gill asked Jessica Waters, a senior scholar at the American University of Public Affairs, who was testifying before Congress about so-called “reproductive healthcare.”
Refusing to answer the question, Waters responded, “I’m an advocate for patients having access to the full realm of reproductive healthcare.” Her work focuses on abortion rights and regulatory laws.
Gill pressed Waters further, this time painting a visual of the gruesome methods and procedures often used for abortions. “The first kind is called a ‘suction abortion,'” Gill said. “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. Do you prefer that method?”
Waters replied, “I stand by my former testimony.”
Despite Waters’ repeated unwillingness to answer the congressman’s questions, Gill persisted. “What about this one? This one is called dilation and curettage. A sharp knife is inserted into the uterus, the baby’s body is cut into pieces, and extracted often by suction. Do you prefer that method?” asked Gill.
Waters diverted the conversation, saying, “What I believe we are here to talk about today is the FACE Act,” legislation that ensures safe access to clinics and places of worship.
Gill, appearing annoyed by her lack of response, interjected: “No, you’re a pro-abortion advocate. I’m asking you if you prefer the dilation and curettage method.” Waters still refused to respond, which resulted in Gill questioning her, saying, “Is it because it’s uncomfortable to talk about? It should be uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want to talk about this either if I were you.”
Texas Congressman Brandon Gill is a rising star in the GOP. His exchange with Waters went viral across social media, amassing more than 6.7 million views as of Wednesday afternoon. Many conservative users praised him on X, referring to his performance as “the best line of questioning I have ever seen!”
However, not everyone was thrilled with Gill; his Democratic colleague, Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan, publicly backed Waters in an exchange with Gill on X.
“My favorite kind of abortion is the kind that’s safe, legal, accessible, and none of your damn business to regulate,” Thanedar said to Gill. “And no amount of fearmongering by describing what goes on to a half-ounce fetus with no consciousness, self-awareness, or feeling of pain is going to change that.”
