Search form

Group 4 Created with Sketch.
Back to HHS Watch

Rita Sporleder

Conscience and Religious Freedom Analyst, Office for Civil Rights

Rita Sporleder joined the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after serving as Staff Assistant to Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Constituent Relations Representative to Rep. Duncan Hunter. Sporleder graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2011.

See Connections

HOW THEIR ROLE AFFECTS ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is charged with enforcing anti-discrimination laws, health privacy laws and conscience laws. The Washington Post reported that the Office for Civil Rights under Trump “has been greatly strengthening and expanding protections for health care providers who have religious- or conscience-based objections to procedures such as abortion.” It went on to say that “the makeover appears radical, one that critics worry will jeopardize the care of pregnant women and transgender individuals, as well as others who could be denied certain procedures.”

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT OF NOTE

Staff Assistant, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, 2017 – 2018

Constituent Relations Representative, Rep. Duncan Hunter, 2014 – 2017

District Office Intern, Rep. Duncan Hunter, 2011 – 2012

TIES TO OTHER ANTI-CHOICE EXTREMISTS

Steven Valentine:

Rita Sporleder attended the conservative college Franciscan University of Steubenville, and was in the same graduating class OASH Chief of Staff Steven Valentine.

Rep. Duncan Hunter:

Rita Sporleder said she loved working for Hunter because “he is pro-life.” Hunter was recently indicted for illegal behavior related to misspent campaign funds, which occurred while Sporleder was on his congressional staff.

HIGHLIGHTS

Sporleder Stated That She Believes Birth Control Is Partly To Blame For Adultery In Response To An Article About Marriage And The Ashley Madison Hacking:

[Rita Sporleder Facebook, accessed 11/5/18]

THE WHOLE STORY

Rita Sporleder Is Anti-Abortion; She Has Often Supported And Worked For Anti-Choice Groups and Individuals.

Sporleder Once Used A Link From The Anti-Abortion Terror Group, Operation Rescue, To Prove That “Dr. Seuss Was Pro-Choice.”

[Lila Rose, Facebook, 1/23/18]

Sporelder Has Thanked Anti-Abortion Activist Turned HHS Staffer Ariana Grossu For Her “Dedication To The Protection” Of The Unborn.

[Family Research Council Facebook, 9/11/15]

Sporleder Seemed To Argue That Birth Control Is To Blame For Adultery.

[Verily Magazine Facebook, accessed 11/5/18]

Sporleder Worked For Anti-Abortion, Corrupt Congressman Duncan Hunter While He Was Engaging In Illegal Behavior, Because She Loved That He Is “Pro-Life.”

Sporleder Said That She Loved Representing Federally Indicted Congressman Duncan Hunter Because “He Is Pro-Life.”

[Franciscan University of Steubenville Magazine, Spring 2017]

  • Duncan Hunter Has Been Indicted For Illegal Behavior He Engaged In While Sporleder Worked In His Office. “Representative Duncan Hunter, Republican of California, and his wife, Margaret Hunter, were indicted on Tuesday, accused of spending more than $250,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses — including a vacation to Italy, family dental bills and plane tickets for a pet — and then lying to the Federal Election Commission. The 48-page indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in San Diego, alleges a pattern of illegal behavior between 2009 and 2016 and makes Mr. Hunter, 41, the second Republican member of Congress to be indicted on corruption charges this month. [New York Times, 8/22/18]

See More