GOP Rep. Accidentally Signed Up Dem As Co-Sponsor On Abortion Bill

Rep. Adam Smith’s (D-WA) name appeared as a co-sponsor on an abortion bill this week, even though he never signed onto the legislation.

Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) signed Smith up as a co-sponsor when she meant to add her Republican colleague, Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska, according to Roll Call.

The bill would keep the Department of Health and Human Services from giving federal family planning grants to abortion clinics.

Adam Smith was upset that he accidentally became a sponsor of the bill. In a Wednesday floor speech, he objected to the rule that allows members to sign their colleagues onto bills without a signature.

Smith described the particular piece of legislation as a “particularly strong anti-choice bill and a bill that I would never support.”

“I was put onto a bill that is polar opposite to my personal beliefs and my 18-year record in Congress,” he said.

Black removed Smith from the bill once she was made aware of her mistake.

However, Smith noted that there is now a line through his name on the legislation with the word “withdrawn,” which the congressman argued made it look “as if at some point I did co-sponsor the bill and then changed my mind.”

“When this happens, when it is clear that someone signed you on a bill you had no intention of being on, your name should be removed. Period. End of story,” he said. “Now as a part of my permanent record is my name having been on a bill to all appearances of my own choice that in a million years I never would’ve co-sponsored.”

Smith said he would urge the House to change the rule in order to prevent similar mishaps in the future.

H/t Huffington Post