Wisconsin Lawmaker Wants to Block Abortion Access to Boost the Labor Force 

During a WI state Assembly debate this week over a bill to block abortions from state health insurance plans, Republican state representative Scott Allen put forth the argument that abortions should be stopped to correct labor shortages in the market.

The GOP lawmaker argued that while abortion is “wrong,” it is perfectly acceptable to force women to procreate so that companies have more workers, as NARAL Pro-Choice America pointed out in a tweet on Friday.

“Labor force shortages are tied to population declines. And labor force shortages are a limiting factor in economic growth. And limited economic growth poses a problem when government tries to pay for public services and infrastructure,” Allen said. “In spite of this Mr. Speaker, ironically, the Democrats continue their effort to support the abortion industry.”

Groans were audible from some of those present in the Assembly.

The Republican bill Allen was addressing would allow state health insurance plans to cover abortions only in cases of rape, incest, to preserve a mother’s health, or to save her life, WIZM reported. That bill passed the Assembly on Thursday.

Ironically, the state’s total labor force reached an all–time high in September, ThinkProgress reported, citing Gov. Scott Walker.