In his run for Senate, Rep. Cory Gardner has settled on the lie that the federal personhood bill he cosponsored is not actually a personhood bill. It would appear that Colorado reporters are getting sick of that lie. In a recent debate between Gardner and Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, a moderator had this rather pointed question for Gardner:
You continue to deny that the federal Life at Conception Act is a personhood bill, which you’ve sponsored, is a personhood bill to end abortion. And we’re not going to debate that tonight, because it’s a fact. Your cosponsors say so. Your opponents say so. And independent fact checkers say so. So let’s instead talk about what this entire episode may say about your judgement, more broadly. It would seem that a more charitable interpretation would mean you have a difficult time admitting when you’re wrong. And a less charitable interpretation is that you’re not telling us the truth.Which is it?
Gardner’s response was to fall back on the exact talking point the question had rejected. He said “Again, I do not support the personhood amendment. The bill that you are referring to is simply a statement that I support life.” This provoked an extended back-and-forth, with the moderator repeatedly coming back with “Why does no one else think that. That’s what we’re getting at” and “what I’m asking you about here is what appears to be willing suspension of the facts” and Gardner refusing to be budged from his absurd claim that he had signed onto not a personhood bill but a simple declaration of his support for life.
Aside from the fact that in general, House bills are intended to make law, not affirm the personal beliefs of House members, the bill Gardner co-sponsored explicitly says that:
The terms human person and human being include each and every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being.
That right there is a personhood bill. Which Cory Gardner co-sponsored and has not withdrawn his support from—instead, he’s hoping if he sticks to his “it’s not a personhood bill” lie, he can fool enough Colorado voters.
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