Ted Cruz criticizes vasectomy bill on Twitter, exposing his hypocrisy on reproduction rights

Senator Ted Cruz, an anti-abortion advocate, showed an utter lack of self-awareness over the weekend when he slammed legislation introduced in Alabama that would make vasectomies mandatory for men over the age 50.

“Yikes,” Cruz wrote Sunday on Twitter in response to the Democratic-sponsored bill. “A government big enough to give you everything is big enough to take everything…literally!”

State Rep. Rolanda Hollis’ bill, HB 238, would require a man to have a “vasectomy within one month of his 50th birthday or the birth of his third biological child, whichever comes first.”

The Birmingham lawmaker reportedly said that the legislation is a response to last year’s Alabama abortion ban that makes abortion illegal in almost all cases, including in instances of rape or incest. The abortion ban was signed into law in May, but hasn’t taken effect because of legal challenges.

Naturally, Cruz’s tweet quickly received a deluge of responses from people who couldn’t help but point out that his criticism was not only hypocritical, but proved Hollis’ point in offering the measure.

Thought you wanted to stop unwanted pregnancies.

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) February 16, 2020

Oh, Gee. You mean don’t like the government interfering in your personal reproductive choices or telling you what you can/can’t do with your own body? Yeah, people are funny that way.

— CLOE (@mazola523) February 17, 2020

Yikes. It’s almost like you’re uncomfortable with someone telling you what to do with your body and deciding when and how to have a kid. pic.twitter.com/FlZ7sIwrgU

— Ida Skibenes ❄️ (@ida_skibenes) February 16, 2020

It’s almost as if legislating people’s bodies is wrong.

— Allison Floyd (@AllisonRFloyd) February 17, 2020

Yes. Governments have no business controlling the reproductive systems of citizens. Glad you've finally come around on choice, Senator.

Also, congrats on an epic self-own.

— Melissa Ryan (@MelissaRyan) February 16, 2020

Wow how awful that the government is trying to interfere with bodily autonomy! What’s that feel like?

— Brooke Binkowski (@brooklynmarie) February 16, 2020

So he’s upset with the government possibly interfering with men’s reproductive rights , but he’s ok with the government interfering in women’s?!?!?! Hypocrite.

— Srchgarvey#Resist??#VoteBlueNoMatterWho?? (@srchgarvey) February 16, 2020

Oh you don’t like big government trying to regulate your body????

— Irishrygirl (@irishrygirl) February 16, 2020

This bill was not meant to pass; it was introduced to demonstrate how wrong it is to restrict people’s reproductive rights. In other words, the argument you’re applying to this bill shows how your own views on women’s reproductive rights are indefensible!

— Ben Spielberg (@BenSpielberg) February 16, 2020

She's parodying you and you're too obtuse to get it.

— JRehling (@JRehling) February 16, 2020

It’s outrageous to have government involved in these personal reproductive decisions! So glad you are pro-choice, Ted!

— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) February 16, 2020

Yes, the government shouldn’t be involved in private reproductive health choices, yes, that’s a great point you made, yes.

— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) February 16, 2020

“Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men,” Hollis’ bill says in its synopsis. If it becomes law, a man must pay for the procedure “at his own expense.”

Hollis told AL.com that she meant the legislation “to neutralize the abortion ban bill.”

“It always takes two to tango,” she said. “We can’t put all the responsibility on women. Men need to be responsible also.”

Hollis’ bill currently has the placeholder name of “A Bill To Be Entitled.” But perhaps it should be named “A Bill For The Entitled” instead? Just saying.