Hey Rep. Laubenberg: That's Not What a Rape Kit Is For

Today in ignorant GOP commentary: Texas State Representative Jody Laubenberg's rape kit remarks. Earlier Monday, Texas legislators passed a highly restrictive abortion bill 97-33 that would shut down 37 of the state's 42 abortion clinics and ban abortions after 20 weeks.

The Texas House debated the bill for 15 hours on Sunday night. When Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D) called for an exemption for victims of rape and incest to the 20 weeks ban, Rep. Laubenberg (R) objected—because rape kits already exist.

Yes, you read that right. "In the emergency room they have what's called rape kits where a woman can get cleaned out," she said, comparing the procedure to an abortion. "The woman had five months to make that decision, at this point we are looking at a baby that is very far along in its development."

Dear Rep. Laubenberg: Rape kits are used by medical personnel to gather physical evidence following allegations of rape or sexual assault. No association whatsoever exists between them and abortion procedures.

You'd think that officials elected to make decisions on important issues like abortion might be a little better informed. Then again, maybe not.