Rep. Elise Stefanik is blasting a local Vermont TV news channel for “outrageously sexist” remarks after the outlet aired a segment discussing her pregnancy.
“Wow. It’s 2021. This is a real TV clip aired in #NY21 this evening,” the GOP conference chair tweeted on Friday, linking to the segment.
“A local news station thinks it’s appropriate for two male ‘journalists/analysts’ to question whether a pregnant woman or new mother can effectively legislate in elected office.”
The segment, which aired on WCAX, included reporter Darren Perron asking, “In terms of leadership, will her absence though — physical absence — on Capitol Hill hurt her role in the Republican Party?”
The reply from SUNY Plattsburgh political scientist Harvey Schantz was, “At a personal level, there’s always talking and backstabbing and coalition formation among members of the party, but it really shouldn’t interrupt Stefanik’s standing within the party.”
During the conversation, Stefanik was referred to as “someone who wants to be scarce after having a child,” and “not up to full-time engagement on the floor of the House.”
The upstate New York congresswoman finished her Twitter thread by writing, “What an outrageous disgrace from two sexist male commentators. Women viewers deserve a full apology from WCAX. This is sadly why more women choose not to run for office.”
Head of the Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel backed up Stefanik’s complaint, tweeting Saturday, “I too am a working mom. The comments made about Elise Stefanik are sexist and shameful.”
Rep. Ashley Hinson also joined in the Twitter bashing: “It’s absurd that Elise has to deal with this. Elise continues to show women that they can run, win, and do the job better than anyone as a working mom.”
Stefanik took over the No. 3 spot in the Republican House caucus back in May after Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was dumped by the GOP members.
