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WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman plans to introduce legislation on Friday to strip Bill Cosby of his Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The bill from Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar would establish a formal process for revoking the nation’s highest civilian honor. Cosby, who has been accused of sexual assault or rape by more than 50 women, was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2002 by President George W. Bush.
Gosar said while the once-beloved entertainer should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, Cosby already admitted in a 2005 sworn deposition that he obtained Quaaludes, a prescription sedative drug, to give to women he wanted to have sex with. Cosby was also charged last week with sexual assault in Pennsylvania.
“As a standing person with the Presidential Medal of [Freedom], you can’t have that. You just can’t have that,” Gosar said Wednesday. “That award should be so encompassing for the whole aspect of your life, and there’s no room to have a bad apple.”
Here’s a copy of Gosar’s bill:
President Barack Obama was asked in July about taking away Cosby’s award and responded that he had no way to do so. Gosar said that ever since he’s been working with sexual violence prevention groups like PAVE (which stands for “promoting awareness, victim empowerment”) to change that.
Gosar spokesman Steven Smith said the lawmaker is still collecting co-sponsors for the bill from both parties. They’ll have a more definitive headcount by Friday.
“Obviously, this is not a partisan issue and we welcome all co-sponsors,” Smith said.
Matt Fuller contributed reporting.
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