For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2024
NY-03 Debate: Pilip Doubles Down on Anti-Choice Extremism
Glen Cove, NY – In tonight’s debate, Mazi Pilip made it crystal clear that she will line up with extremists in the Republican Party to push an anti-choice agenda.
When Suozzi pointed out Pilip’s support for the Dobbs decision, opposition to codifying Roe v. Wade, and embrace of the Conservative Party line, which supports a ban on abortion even in the case of rape or incest, Pilip offered no coherent response. Clearly knocked off her talking points, she instead tried to talk over Suozzi.
QUESTION: “Ms. Pilip. Mr. Suozzi. I’d like to know your position on reproductive rights and abortion.”
[…]
SUOZZI: “Are you saying that you’re pro-choice?”
PILIP: “Every woman should have –”
SUOZZI: “So you’re pro-choice?”
PILIP: “Again this is a personal choice –”
SUOZZI: “I’m asking you very clearly. Are you pro-choice?”
PILIP: “Again, it’s a personal decision.”
SUOZZI: “Just say you’re pro-choice then.”
PILIP: “I’m Mazi Pilip. I am pro-life.”
[…]
SUOZZI: “You’ve been endorsed by the Conservative Party. They vetted you. They’re very happy with your position. That’s your mouth. That’s what you’ve said. You’ve said that I will not vote to make Roe the law of the land. You have said that the Supreme Court made the right decision by outlawing abortion in the United States of America and putting it back to the states. Right now, in many states throughout the United States of America, abortion is completely banned. So, there’s a choice as an elected official, if you were to become a member of Congress… It’s a very simple question. You sound like you’re saying you’re pro-choice but then you say you’re pro-life. When it comes to the laws, you say you’re not going to tell people what to do but you support the Supreme Court decision and the Conservative Party line. You said what they did with Dobbs is correct. And you said you would not vote to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land.
MODERATOR: “Legislator Pilip, what is the specific piece of legislation that you would support to back the platform you laid out here?”
PILIP: “…The Supreme Court gave it back to the states. And each state made that decision…”
Pilip’s previous anti-choice statements:
- FOX:
- “I am pro-life. Me, Mazi Melesa Pilip.”
- CNN:
- HOST: “But Pilip feels different and is welcoming Trump to the stump.”
- PILIP: “He’s welcome to help me. If he comes to help me, I would appreciate that.:
- HOST: “She now says she’ll back Trump if he’s the nominee. And she defends him from his 91 criminal charges.
- PILIP: “I will support… He was a great president. He did great things… I know that he didn’t commit any crime.”
- NY1:
- Asked if she would vote to codify Roe v. Wade, she said, “I have a belief and faith on our Supreme Court. The Supreme Court took it back to states.”
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Tom Suozzi, trained as an attorney and CPA, is the former Congressman for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, Nassau County Executive, and Mayor of Glen Cove. Tom has committed his 30-year public service career to delivering for his constituents. His philosophy of working with anyone who shares his goal of solving problems and delivering for his constituents has guided his career and led to notable accomplishments on issues including protecting the environment, common-sense gun safety, full access to reproductive health care, immigration, caring for our veterans, affordable healthcare, and fiscal responsibility.