Controversial U.S. radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has apologized to a law student for calling her a "slut" after she told a congressional session that her college health plan should cover her birth control.
The brash Conservative pundit was widely criticized by both Democrats and fellow Republicans after he called Georgetown University student Sandra Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute" on his show.
"My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir," Limbaugh said in a statement posted on his website Saturday. "I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."
Fluke, 30, had testified before congressional Democrats about the prohibitive cost of birth control for many college students like herself, calling for expanded access to contraceptive coverage.
Republican lawmakers had previously barred her from testifying about the issue at a House committee, but Democrats invited her back to speak at an unofficial congressional session last week.
"What does it say about the college coed鈥ho goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex?" Limbaugh said Wednesday. "It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex."
His comments caused such an uproar that U.S. President Barack Obama personally phoned Fluke to offer his support. Obama's controversial health care overhaul requires many employers and institutions to provide birth control coverage.
Limbaugh's show has lost several sponsors over the past few days and Republicans have distanced themselves from his comments.
But as his critics grew louder, Limbaugh went even further on Thursday, saying: "If we're going to have to pay for this, then we want something in return, Ms. Fluke. And that would be the videos of all this sex posted online so we can see what we're getting for our money."
His apology Saturday was still defiant as he called the birth control debate "absolutely absurd."
"I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities," he said. "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?"
The Limbaugh firestorm further highlights an ongoing dispute between Republicans and Democrats over birth control insurance coverage.
Obama has been accused of waging "a war on religion" because his proposed health plan would require religiously-affiliated institutions to provide contraceptive insurance.
