Fact Check: "A Minnesota official stated that lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the target list, and Hillary Scholten is a proponent of abortion rights."
What We Know
The claim centers around two main points: first, that a Minnesota official indicated that lawmakers supporting abortion rights were targeted, and second, that Congresswoman Hillary Scholten is a proponent of abortion rights.
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Targeting of Lawmakers: The context of the claim may relate to the introduction of the Reproductive Data Privacy and Protection Act by several lawmakers, including Hillary Scholten. This legislation aims to protect individuals seeking reproductive health care from surveillance and prosecution, especially following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Representative Ted Lieu stated, “Criminalizing women’s health is draconian and dangerous” (source-1). This suggests a heightened concern for lawmakers advocating for abortion rights in the current political climate, although it does not explicitly confirm that they are on a "target list."
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Hillary Scholten's Position: Hillary Scholten has publicly expressed her support for abortion rights. She co-led the Reproductive Data Privacy and Protection Act and has stated, “No one should have to fear that their private health decisions could be tracked, surveilled, or criminalized” (source-1). Additionally, she has opposed legislation that would restrict women’s healthcare choices, reinforcing her stance as a proponent of abortion rights (source-3).
Analysis
The evidence suggests that while there is a significant concern among lawmakers about potential repercussions for advocating for abortion rights, the specific claim that they are on a "target list" lacks direct confirmation. The statements made by various representatives, including Scholten, highlight a broader narrative of fear and concern regarding the criminalization of reproductive health decisions post-Dobbs.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, as they originate from official congressional communications and statements made by the representatives themselves. However, the interpretation of these statements as indicating a "target list" is more speculative than factual. The language used by the lawmakers reflects a defensive posture in response to perceived threats rather than a documented list of targets.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While it accurately reflects that Hillary Scholten is a proponent of abortion rights and that there is a concern among lawmakers about being targeted for their positions, it does not provide concrete evidence that they are officially on a "target list." The context of heightened scrutiny and potential repercussions for advocating abortion rights is valid, but the specifics of the claim require further substantiation.
