‘Masturbating Fetus,’ Says Republican Congressman, Proves Abortions Are Immoral [Video]

Claims of a “masturbating fetus” by a Republican Congressman Monday were cited as proof that abortions need to be banned.

This unusual statement was made by Representative Michael Burgess, Republican from Texas, during a Monday House Rules committee debate. New legislation is being proposed to Congress which would restrict abortion procedures in the entire nation to before a pregnancy’s 20 week mark.

The bill has been dubbed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and would, if passed into law, reverse part of Roe v. Wade, in which abortion access is protected up to 24 weeks.

As the name implies, much of the premise behind this controversial new bill relates to whether and at what point an unborn fetus can perceive pain.

If a fetus can feel pain before it is aborted, supporters of the new bill argue, is that not an immoral act? What if there are masturbating fetuses?

Texas’ Rep. Michael Burgess seems to think so. Explaining that “this is a subject I know something about,” Burgess, who practiced as an OB/GYN for 25 years, argued that fetuses do indeed feel sensations and make “purposeful” movements.

Continuing, Burgess unexpectedly doubled down on these claims, sharing something incredible he witnessed a 15-week-old fetus doing on a sonogram:

“If they’re a male baby, they may have their hand between their legs. If they feel pleasure, why is it so hard to believe that they could feel pain?”

Though the video included shows only a close up Rep. Mike Burgess as he drops his “masturbating fetus” claim, it is hard to believe most of the people in the room weren’t compelled to do a double take.

[Image via ShutterStock]