Rep. Steve King backs up Todd Akin, weighs in on rape and abortion

Updated at 2:55 p.m. ET

(CBS News) Republican Rep. Todd Akin has been strongly rebuked by members of his own party for his controversial remarks on rape and abortion, but that didn't stop Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa from defending Akin on Monday.

According to a report by Sioux City, Iowa CBS affiliate KMEG, King said he hasn't heard of instances in which young victims of statutory rape or incest become pregnant.

"Well I just haven't heard of that being a circumstance that's been brought to me in any personal way, and I'd be open to discussion about that subject matter," King said.

King released a statement Tuesday suggesting his comments were taken out of context.

"I never said, nor do I believe, a woman, including minors, cannot get pregnant from rape, statutory rape or incest. Suggesting otherwise is ridiculous, shameful, disgusting and nothing but an attempt to falsely define who I am," he said. "I have never heard of and categorically reject the so-called medical theory that launched this controversy."

In its report, KMEG noted that King -- like Akin -- supports the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," which would ban federal funding of abortion except in certain instances, such as in the case of rape. Republicans initially limited the funding to cases of "forcible rape," which is the term the FBI uses to distinguish between statutory rape and other kinds of rape.

In addition to weighing in on that matter, King defended Akin, who on Sunday suggested that women couldn't get pregnant from rape. Akin has apologized for his remarks and called them a mistake, but the vast majority of Republicans are now pressuring him to drop his Missouri Senate bid.

King, who's drawn his own share of controversy said the issue is a distraction.

"I think this election should be about, how did Todd Akin vote and what did he vote for and what did he stand for," he said. "And in this case, I'm seeing the same thing -- petty personal attacks substituting for strong policy."

[greybees]

King is a Tea Bag ignoramus. Any woman who would vote for him or for Romney, for that matter, would have to psychotic.

[cntrygirl3]

What? this fool has a private news service that reports EVERY rape and incest case in the country to him and follows them up on pregnancy. I mean Akin just had some magical "shutdown" this guy says it doesn't happen period. I hope his opponent plays this quote over and over, I am sure a lot of his constituents have heard of pregnancy from rape and I hope they vote against him.

[larrylinn1]

"The biological facts are perhaps inconvenient, but whether the egg meets the sperm is a matter of luck or prevention," says Dr. Paul Blumenthal, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology who directs the Stanford Program for International Reproductive Education and Services. "If wishing that 'I won't get pregnant right now' made it so, we wouldn't need contraceptives."
Dr. Blumenthal is alarmed that Mr. Akin is a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
"What is very disturbing to me is that people like Mr. Akin who have postulated this secret mechanism for avoiding pregnancy have developed their own make-believe world of science based on entirely self-serving beliefs of convenience or just ignorance," he said. "I don't think we want these people to be responsible for the lives of others

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Steve King is a certified loon as is Todd Akin so it's no surprise one loon supports another.

[obgyn33]

Shame on you CBS. I have always been a loyal viewer and believed CBS stood out above the rest. CBS allowed Norah O'Donnell to deceive viewers by reporting on the campaign and President Obama when she is clearly biased because her husband Dan Senor, works for Romney and Ryan's campaign. Each time she talks about or scrutinize the campaign CBS should disclose to the viewers her very close relationship with the Romney Campaign. I don't expect O'Donnell to be honest, I expected CBS to be. Shame on you CBS, I am truly disappointed.

[Mopsy1947]

Do they understand the harm their ignorance and simple clear lack of respect for women does to the real Pro Life Issue?? Really,,,,,if you want to respect the unborn,, try respecting the mother of that unborn child.

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

"Rep. Steve King backs up Todd Akin, weighs in on rape and abortion"

One loon supports another, no surprise there.

[TJphoto]

Take Foot 'A'....Insert into Mouth 'B'......Attempt to use Vocal Cords 'C' These people pay themselves $174,000. per year. Maybe we are the stupid ones.

[audemus]

This from a guy who has made racist comment after racist comment, who doesn't think Limbaugh has ever said anything offensive and that dog-fighting is perfectly OK. This is yet another "shining" example of the embarrassing decline of the republican party. This guy should be thrown out of office along with Akin and all those other disconnected, right-wing idiots. It's hard to believe that America is so stupid as to keep voting for these fruit-cakes.

[Mopsy1947]

Doesn't racism and respect for Women pretty much go hand-in-hand,,if we accept one we accept the other??? The Republican Party Opened their Tent next to a Swamp, what do you expect?

[TimeToEvolve]

Of course King would defend him, like the rest of the Republicons, he believes exactly what Akin said.