Letters

As the 2024 election approaches, MAGA minion Nick LaLota has tried to publicly walk back his opposition to abortion. Don’t believe him.

His newfound concern is merely the result of political expediency. He can read the tea leaves –— most Americans support reproductive freedom. In fact, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, more Americans now identify as pro-choice than ever before.

Look at LaLota’s voting record, not what he says. One of LaLota’s first acts in Congress was to vote yes on anti-choice legislation that would spread lies about abortion and criminalize doctors. He also voted for a Speaker of the House who believes in a total ban on abortion and the criminalizing of homosexuality.

This June, LaLota voted yes to impose new far-right restrictions on access to abortion care for 350,000 active-duty women in the military, undermining bipartisan efforts to strengthen health care for our armed forces. LaLota’s Republican Study Committee backs a total national abortion ban. LaLota was the first of the New York Republicans to kiss the ring of convicted felon Donald Trump, who takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade.

LaLota is not pro-life. He is pro-forced birth. If you are pro-life, shouldn’t you also care about the life of the mother and the well-being of the baby after it is born? Yet, LaLota voted no on the bipartisan tax bill raising the child tax credit for struggling families. And LaLota cares not that more women and babies are dying since Trump’s Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

In states with extreme abortion bans, maternal and infant mortality have skyrocketed as OB/GYNs flee those states for fear of arrest and jail, making it nearly impossible for women to access reproductive health care. New York women are at risk as well, as fewer doctors practicing in New York receive training to perform reproductive health care procedures. Nationally, fewer medical students are going into OB/GYN, and medical schools in states with abortion bans have removed reproductive health care from their curricula.

John Avlon is a man of his word. He has always been a staunch defender of women’s reproductive choice, including abortion, IVF and contraception. He will go to Congress to reinstate for all Americans the fundamental rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. He will do what he says.

John is dedicated to working collaboratively to find common-sense solutions to our nation’s problems. John will listen to you, unlike LaLota, who has not held a single live town hall meeting since being elected.

If you want a congressman who cares about you, hears you, tells you honestly what he believes, and votes accordingly, fire Nick LaLota and vote for John Avlon for Congress on November 5.

Andrea Klausner

Vice Chair

Southampton Democratic Committee