Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh Reuters

Rush Limbaugh on Saturday issued an apology to Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown law student he called slut and prostitute on his talk show, after she expressed her support of women's access to birth control.

Fluke, a third-year law student, had testified about Georgetown's policy on contraception during Democrat-led a hearing last Thursday. Fluke advocated that birth control should be covered by health insurance at religious institutions. Fluke was given the chance to testify at the hearing because she was excluded from a congressional hearing on the contraceptive mandate in America's health-care law.

The Washington Post reported that Fluke has said that students at Georgetown pay up to $1,000 a year for birth control, as women's contraceptive are not covered on campus health plans.

What does that make her? Limbaugh said on Wednesday. It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute.

Limbaugh issued the following statement on his Web site on Saturday:

For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.

I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit?In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.

My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices.

U.S. President Barack Obama called Fluke after Limbaugh's comment to thank her for speaking about the issue and to show his support.