A U.S. congressman from Arizona plans to introduce a legislation to strip Bill Cosby of his Presidential Medal of Freedom that was awarded to him in 2002. The "Bill Cosby Show" star was arraigned in Pennsylvania for sexual charges on Dec. 30 last year but was set free after paying 10 percent of his $1 million bail.
Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R) said that he, together with other politicians, will be submitting their proposal on Friday.
"To continue honoring Bill Cosby with this prestigious accolade would be an affront to women nationwide, particularly those who were victims of his horrific acts," Gosar said, according to Raw Story.
Bill Cosby could have his Presidential Medal of Freedom revoked https://t.co/RJoIwyYyon
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 8, 2016
White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said that Congress will look into the matter if the legislation will be approved.
"It's something that Congress will have to consider," Earnest said, according to ABC News. "We'll take a look at the proposal if Congress takes a vote on it and we'll let you know if the President chooses to sign it."
President BarackObama stated in July at a press conference that "any civilized country, should have no tolerance for rape," when asked about the allegations on Cosby, NBC News reported at the time.
"But I think the President was quite clear in that news conference in showing his own personal disgust for the kind of behavior that Mr. Cosby is accused of, and you know the President made clear that he doesn't have any tolerance for it," Earnest added, according to TIME.
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor presented to people such as artists, leaders, athletes and advocates who have contributed to the betterment of the nation.
