Limbaugh Unrepentant for Calling Pro-Contraception Student Sandra Fluke 'Prostitute'
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh has come under fire after calling a female student who testified at a Congressional hearing on contraception coverage a "prostitute" and a "slut" on his show, but the radio host remains unapologetic for his derogatory comments.
Sandra Fluke, a third-year law student at Georgetown University, first came into the national spotlight when Rep. Darrell Issa refused to allow her testimony during a Feb. 16 House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the contraception mandate included in President Obama's controversial Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Issa contended that Fluke's testimony was irrelevant, "as the hearing is not about reproductive rights and contraception but instead about the administration's actions as they relate to freedom of religion and conscience."
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Fluke was later allowed to testify at a separate Thursday, Feb. 23 hearing on the mandate, during which she advocated for contraception coverage and related the story of a classmate who lost an ovary due to a disease that could have been prevented by birth control medication.
After Fluke's testimony, Limbaugh lambasted the student on his radio show following the hearing.
"What does it say about the college co-ed Sandra Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? What does that make her?" Limbaugh said. "It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex."
Fluke has since called Limbaugh's comments "inappropriate" and "outside the bounds of civil discourse."
Members of Congress have also taken issue with Limbaugh's depiction of Fluke.
Seventy-five Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner asking him to condemn Limbaugh and his comments.
"Mr. Limbaugh is as free as any American to speak his mind about the political and social issues of our time," wrote Rep. Louise Slaughter. "But using his radio show as a means for blatantly insulting a hard-working American with obscene and indecent language because he disagrees with her personal choices is an abuse of the public airwaves."
Former Republican senatorial candidate and prominent businesswoman Carly Fiorina also commented on the issue, calling Limbaugh's comments "insulting."
Limbaugh, however, decided to double down on his comments on his Thursday show this week.
"Ms. Fluke and the rest of you feminazis, here's the deal: If we are going to pay for your contraceptives and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it. And I'll tell you what it is. We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch," said Limbaugh.
"I called it what it is," Limbaugh added. "And, bam, boy, you nail these people with the truth! So I'm offering a compromise today. I will buy all of the women at Georgetown University as much aspirin to put between their knees as they want."
One of Limbaugh's sponsors, Sleep Train mattress stores, has decided to no longer advertise with the radio host because of the controversy.
"We are pulling our ads with Rush Limbaugh and appreciate the community's feedback," the company tweeted early Friday morning.
