New York Representative Mike Lawler has recently come under scrutiny for participating in a fundraising event that supports a controversial anti-abortion organization. This move contradicts his previous campaign commitment to maintain a moderate stance on reproductive rights.
Lawler shared images on social media from the 39th Annual Love Life Fundraising Banquet, held on October 20, which was organized to benefit the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Rockland located within his congressional district.
These pregnancy centers, commonly referred to as crisis pregnancy centers, aim to dissuade women from undergoing abortions, often by disseminating misleading medical information. Critics argue that these establishments masquerade as legitimate healthcare providers to attract vulnerable individuals.
Planned Parenthood reports that “most anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers are not licensed as medical clinics.” They note that workers and volunteers might wear white coats and engage clients in private areas resembling medical examination rooms, despite lacking formal medical training.
In October 2023, Lawler attended the same fundraiser and was photographed with the center’s executive director.
Subsequently, Lawler cast a vote in favor of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, a bill designed to prevent states from restricting federal funds to pregnancy centers. While it passed the Republican-dominated House, it was ultimately blocked in the Senate, controlled by Democrats.
On his 2024 campaign site, Lawler dedicated an entire page to outlining his “mainstream position” on abortion rights, highlighting the potential impact of this issue on his reelection bid. His campaign promises included securing access to contraception.
However, the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Rockland’s website contains a page criticizing emergency contraception, commonly known as Plan B, labeling it an “abortifacient,” a description widely dismissed by medical professionals.
The fundraiser’s organizer, Love Life, has called for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, which offers various healthcare services, including affordable contraception.
Lawler is campaigning for a third term, with abortion anticipated to be a pivotal issue in the upcoming election.
DCCC spokesperson Riya Vashi commented, “Mike Lawler has spent his entire career attacking reproductive freedom. Lawler can’t hide the reality of his anti-choice extremism, and it won’t bode well for him come 2026.”
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