Republican lawmaker claims he’s ‘qualified’ to ban abortion – because he’s a vet

A Republican lawmaker from Wisconsin has claimed that he’s “qualified” to ban abortion – because he’s a vet.

While debating a potential 14-week abortion ban on Thursday, state Rep Joel Kitchens said he knows that “abortion is not health care” because of his career as a veterinarian.

“You know, in my veterinary career, I did thousands of ultrasounds on animals, you know, determining pregnancy and that kind of thing,” Mr Kitchens said. “So I think I know mammalian foetal development better than probably anyone here. And in my mind, there’s absolutely no question that’s a life, and I think the science backs me up on that.”

Mr Kitchens was widely slammed for his remarks, with authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat writing on X: “Misogyny in action ― women, animals, it’s all the same.”

MSNBC’s Symone Sanders-Townsend echoed the sentiment, writing, “Women = animals? Mmm.”

It is not the first time a lawmaker has compared pregnant women to livestock.

Last year, Idaho state Rep Jack Nelsen was forced to apologise after he suggested his experience as a “lifelong dairy farmer” gave him some expertise on women’s reproductive health.

Wisconsin state Rep Joel Kitchens during a debate on a potential 14-week abortion ban

“I’ve milked a few cows, spent most of my time walking behind lines of cows, so if you want some ideas on repro and the women’s health thing, I have some definite opinions,” Mr Nelsen joked during a meeting of the state’s House Agricultural Affairs Committee.

Mr Kitchens’ remarks came as Wisconsin Republicans voted to approve a bill for a binding statewide referendum to ban abortion after 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Current Wisconsin law prohibits abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The bill passed 53-46, with ten