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JOBS RIGHT NOW N
VOTES ARE SCHEDULED FOR LATER
THIS EVENING.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
HAD DURING THE
RECESS BE PRINTED IN THE RECORD.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR.
PITTS, SEEK RECOGNITION?
MR. -- MADAM SPEAKER,
I ASK THAT MEMBERS HAVE FIVE
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT
EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
MADAM SPEAKER, I SEEK
RECOGNITION.
THE
GENTLEMAN MAY PROCEED.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN WISH TO CALL
UP THE BILL?
THAT IS CORRECT.
I MOVE THAT WE TAKE UP H.R. 358.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
NUMBER
133, H.R. 358, A BILL TO AMEND
THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO MODIFY
SPECIAL RULES RELATING TO
COVERAGE OF ABORTION SERVICES
UNDER SUCH ACT.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
430, THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE
OF A SUBSTITUTE RECOMMENDED BY
THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND
COMMERCE PRINTED IN THIS BILL IS
ADOPTED AND THE BILL AS AMENDED
IS CONSIDERED READ.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA,
MR. PITTS, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. PALLONE,
EACH WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR.
PITTS.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH
TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
MADAM SPEAKER, I AM HUMBLED TO
STAND IN THIS CHAMBER AND ENGAGE
IN DEBATE OVER SUCH A CRITICAL
MATTER LIKE THIS.
LIKE THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT,
THE PRO-LIFE CAUSE HAS ALWAYS
BEEN ONE OF SECURING RIGHTS FOR
SPEAK FOR
THEMSELVES AND WHO CANNOT ON
THEIR OWN OBTAIN THEM.
THE FIGHT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK
TO OUR NATION'S BEGINNING.
WHAT MORE COULD OUR FOUNDING
FATHERS HAVE ENVISIONED WHEN
THEY DRAFTED THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE PROCLAIMING TO ALL
THAT AMERICA WOULD, QUOTE, HOLD
THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT,
THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL,
THEY ARE ENDO YOUED BY THEIR
CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE
RIGHTS, LIFE, LIBERTY AND
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
THERE IT IS, THE FIRST
UNALIENABLE RIGHT BY THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS
THE RIGHT TO LIFE.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS MUST HAVE
DEEMED THIS AN INDISPENSIBLE
RIGHT FOR ITS PLACEMENT
SIGNIFIES IT WAS NOT AN
AFTER-THOUGHT.
FROM THE START OF OUR GREAT
NATION UNTIL NOW, COUNTLESS MEN
AND WOMEN HAVE FOUGHT AND
SACRIFICED THEIR OWN LIVES TO
OTHERS.
YET, IN 1973, THE U.S. SUPREME
COURT ISSUED A DECISION THAT HAS
CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY IN
THIS COUNTRY, A RIGHT THAT HAD
BEEN PROTECTED FOR NEARLY 200
YEARS WAS TOSSED ASIDE BY A
ABORTION.
COURT DECISION TO LEGALIZE
UP UNTIL THAT POINT, AN UNWANTED
PREGNANCY WAS LIKELY TO LEAD TO
AN ADOPTION, A PROCESS THAT
PLACED AN UNWANTED CHILD IN A
CARING HOME.
THE LEGACY OF THE LATE STEVE
JOBS REMINDS US OF THE IMPACT
THAT ADOPTION CAN HAVE ON THE
ENTIRE WORLD.
FORTUNATELY FOR US, JOBS WAS
BORN 18 YEARS BEFORE ROE V.
WADE.
JOBS WAS ADOPTED BY A MARRIED
COUPLE IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA.
HE WOULD GO ON TO BE THE FOUNDER
OF A TECH COMPANY, THAT HAS
LITERALLY CHANGED THE WORLD.
HIS WAS THE ROOT OF MANY
UNEXPECTED CHILDREN BEFORE 1973.
AND ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
ARE A FEW OF THE MANY ADOPTED
CHILDREN WHO HAVE TRANSFORMED
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY.
SINCE ROE V. WADE, MORE AND MORE
WOMEN ARE BEING PERSUADED THAT
ABORTION IS NOTHING MORE THAN A
SIMPLE MEDICAL PROCEDURE THAT
WILL HELP THEM MOVE ON WITH
THEIR LIVES.
THIS COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM
THE TRUTH.
A STUDY OF PATIENTS IN
CALIFORNIA REVEALED THAT WOMEN
WHO HAVE HAD AN ABORTION WERE
160% MORE LIKELY TO BE ADMITTED
FOR PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT THAN
THOSE WHO CARRIED A CHILD TO
TERM AND DELIVERY.
THESE WOMEN WHO CHOSE TO
TERMINATE THEIR PREGNANCIES HAD
TO DEAL WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL
DEVASTATION THAT IS ASSOCIATED
WITH SUCH A DECISION.
ADDING HARM UPON HARM, ABORTION
IS A PROCEDURE THAT BRINGS
MENTAL TRAUMA TO THE MOTHER AND
DAMAGE TO THE UNBORN.
BECAUSE OF THIS, THE POLICY OF
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE
LAST 35 YEARS HAS BEEN TO BAN
FUNDING FOR SUCH A PROCEDURE.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WHEN THE
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED ABORTION,
THEIR NUMBER INCREASES.
THE PRESIDENT, A SUPPORTER OF
ABORTION RIGHTS, HAS STATED HIS
COMMITMENT TO REDUCING THE
AMOUNT OF ABORTIONS IN THIS
COUNTRY.
RESTORING THE POLICY OF
PROHIBITING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR
ABORTION WOULD BE A GOOD FIRST
STEP.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN LARGE
DEGREE AGREE WITH THIS POLICY.
IN FACT, AS RECENTLY AS LAST
YEAR, SURVEY REVEALED THAT 67%
OF AMERICANS SUPPORT A BAN ON
ABORTION FUNDING.
BUT THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT FAILED TO
INCLUDE THIS PROHIBITION AND
THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.
PRESIDENT OBAMA INDICATED HIS
SUPPORT FOR UPHOLDING THE BAN ON
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTION IN
HEALTH REFORM AND THAT IS WHAT
ACT DOES.
THE PRO-LIFE ACT PROTECT LIFE
THE ISSUE OF PROHIBITING
TAXPAYER FUNDS FOR ABORTION IS
IMPORTANT TO THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
AND SO IT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO
CONGRESS AS WELL.
PROTECTING THE UNALIENABLE RIGHT
TO LIFE IS IMPORTANT TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE TO
THE CONGRESS AS WELL.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT
THIS BILL.
AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
RECOGNIZED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH
TIME AS I MAY CONSUME, MADAM
SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU.
I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO
H.R. 358, LEGISLATION THAT
INFRINGES UPON A WOMAN'S RIGHT
TO CHOOSE.
THIS BILL IS UNNECESSARY AND
EXTREME AND SADDENS ME THAT THE
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS CHOSEN
TO BRING THIS BILL TO THE HOUSE
FLOOR WHEN AMERICANS ARE
STRUGGLING.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT US TO
WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THEIR
TOP PRIORITY, CREATING JOBS.
AND WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON
PUTTING AMERICANS BACK TO WORK,
NOT DIVIDING CONGRESS ON
IDEOLOGICAL ISSUES AND WE
SHOULDN'T BE CONSIDERING
LEGISLATION THAT ROLLS BACK
WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS 38
YEARS.
THEY CLAIM AMENDING THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO ENSURE
THAT TAX DOLLARS AREN'T USED TO
FUND ABORTIONS.
IT PROHIBITS FEDERAL DOLLARS TO
FUND ABORTIONS.
IT WILL ELIMINATE CARE BY
BANNING INSURANCE PLANS FROM
OFFERING ABORTION-INCLUSIVE
COVERAGE IF THEY SEEK ONE
FEDERALLY-SUBSIDIZED CUSTOMER.
IF THE PLAN TAKES ONE
FEDERALLY-SUBSIDIZED CUSTOMER,
THEY CAN'T PROVIDE ABORTION
INSURANCE TO ANYONE ELSE IN THE
PLAN.
WHAT IS MORE CONCERNING IS THAT
THIS LEGISLATION TOOK PLACE,
REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH CARE IN LIFE-THREATENING
SITUATIONS BY EXPANDING A
LOPSIDED POLICY THAT GIVES THEM
REFUSAL TO ABORTIONS AND
EMERGENCY CARE.
I WAS SO APPALLED, BY COMMENTS
THAT WERE MADE AT THE RULES
COMMITTEE AND I WANT TO SET THE
RECORD STRAIGHT.
THIS BILL IS NOT SIMPLY THE
STUPAK-PITTS AMENDMENT THAT WAS
CONSIDERATION.
DEBATED DURING THE HEALTH REFORM
DURING THE RULES COMMITTEE, I
HEARD THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN
FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.
THIS IS JUST THE STUPAK BILL ALL
OVER AGAIN.
THAT IS NOT TRUE.
H.R. 358 GOES BEYOND THE STUPAK
AMENDMENT.
THE STUPAK AMENDMENT LIMITED ITS
REACH TO QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS
AND NO EFFECT ON COMPLETELY
PRIVATE PLANS.
H.R. 358 AFFECTS ANY HEALTH
PLAN.
THE STUPAK AMENDMENT LIMITED ITS
REACH ONLY TO FEDERAL FUNDING
ABORTION.
AND ENSURES COVERAGE OF
358 INCLUDES ACCESS TO
ABORTION SERVICES, A MUCH
BROADER TERM WITH FAR-REACHING
EFFECTS.
AND THE AMENDMENT LIMITED ITS
REACH ONLY TO STATE CONSCIENCE
PROTECTION LAWS THAT DEAL WITH
ABORTION.
H.R. 358 EXPANDS THAT PROTECTION
TO THOSE COVERING HEALTH AND
MEDICAL SERVICES OUTSIDE OF
ABORTION.
THE STUPAK AMENDMENT DID NOT
CREATE ANY EXCEPTION TO THE
OBLIGATION OF HOSPITALS TO
COMPLY.
IT LET THE OBLIGATION INTACT.
NO ONE SHOULD BE FOOLED BY THE
ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS SIMPLY
STUPAK BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLY NOT.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, THE EFFECT
OF THIS AMENDMENT IS THAT WOMEN
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANY
KIND OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR
ABORTION COVERAGE EITHER BECAUSE
THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET A
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON THE
EXCHANGE OR WOULD BE FORCED TO
BUY ONE OUTSIDE THE EXCHANGE
JUST FOR ABORTION SERVICES,
WHICH ISN'T GOING TO BE
AVAILABLE, MADAM SPEAKER.
WHAT THEY ARE PRACTICALLY
SPEAKING, IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE
FOR A WOMAN TO EXERCISE HER
RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION IF
SHE CHOOSES TO HAVE AN ABORTION
BECAUSE SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR IT AT
ALL.
H.R. 358 IS A MASSIVE OVERREACH
OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AND RESTRICTS
WOMEN'S ACCESS TO REPRUDENTTIVE
HEALTH SERVICES AND LIFE-SAVING
CARE AND A STEP TOWARDS
ELIMINATING A CHOICE THAT OUR
SUPREME COURT HAS DEEMED LEGAL
AND REMAINS LEGAL TO THIS DAY.
IF YOU WANT TO OVERTURN ROE V.
WADE AND I KNOW THERE ARE
MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
AISLE WHO FEEL THAT WAY, THEN
THEY CAN TRY TO DO THAT, BUT
DON'T DO IT IN A SNEAKY WAY BY
DENYING WOMEN INSURANCE AND
SAYING THEY CAN'T EXERCISE WHAT
THE SUPREME COURT SAYS IS THEIR
RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
WOMEN ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAFE,
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE OPTIONS
AND THIS CREATES CHALLENGES THAT
I THINK WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO
OVERCOME AND DANGEROUS TO
WOMEN'S HEALTH AND I URGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THE
LEGISLATION.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
AT THIS TIME, I YIELD
ONE MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED
THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA,
DR. JOHN FLEMING.
THE
.
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THANK YOU, AN LET
ME THANK YOU MR. PITTS FOR YOUR
WORK ON THIS BILL AND YOUR
ENTIRE LIFE.
THE PROTECT LIFE ACT WOULD
ACCOMPLISH TWO IMPORTANT
THINGS, REMOVE FUNDING FOR
ABORTION AND ABORTION COVERAGE
UNDER THE PATIENT PROTECTION
AND AFFORDABILITY ACT AND IT
WOULD EXTEND THE CONSCIENCE
PROTECTIONS TO PRO-LIFE
DOCTORS, NURSES, HOSPITALS AND
OTHER HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
WHO OBJECT TO DESTROYING THE
LIVES OF UNBORN CHILDREN.
I'VE BEEN A DOCTOR FOR 36
YEARS, FATHER OF FOUR,
GRANDFATHER OF TWO, AND I CAN
TELL YOU THAT THE TAKING OF
INNOCENT LIFE IS NOT HEALTH
CARE.
CARE.
HAVING SAID THAT, THIS COUNTRY
IS STILL DIVIDED ON WHETHER OR
NOT A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE THE
RIGHT TO TAKE AN UNBORN INFANT.
HOWEVER, THE COUNTRY IS NOT
DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE FOR WHO
SHOULD PAY FOR IT AND THAT
ISSUE IS TAXPAYERS.
2-1, AMERICANS SAY TAXPAYERS
SHOULD NOT BE FOOTING THE BILL.
THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, AS
WELL AS THE CONSCIENCE CLAUSE.
THIS IS CRITICAL FOR PRO-LIFE
AND RELIGIOUS HEALTH CARE.
I YIELD THE
GENTLEMAN 30 SECONDS.
ENTALA, PART OF
THE DISCUSSION HERE, REQUIRES
THAT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SUCH
AS MYSELF MUST TAKE CARE OF
WOMEN AND MUST TAKE CARE OF
THEIR INPANTS, UNBORN OR
OTHERWISE.
SO I SAY TO YOU, MADAM SPEAKER,
TODAY, THIS BILL PROTECTS LIFE.
IT DOES NOT REQUIRE TAX PAYERS
TO FOOT THE PILL FOR THOSE WHO
CHOOSE TO TAKE INNOCENT LIFE.
WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD THREE
MINUTES TO OUR DISTINGUISHED
DEMOCRATIC WHIP, MR. HOYER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FOR HIS LEADERSHIP, I
RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS
BILL, THE SO-CALLED PROTECT
LIFE BILL.
FIRST OF ALL, OVER AND OVER
AGAIN WE REPEAT THE PREMISE
THAT WE'RE USING TAXPAYER FUNDS
FOR ABORTION.
THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
WE ARE NOT.
NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU
SAY IT, THE FACT IS WE
SPECIFICALLY PRECLUDED THAT
FROM HAPPENING.
DOES GOES MUCH
FURTHER.
IT THREATENS TO MAKE HARDER FOR
WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO
NEED.
RECEIVE HEALTH CARE THAT THEY
I UNDERSTAND THE DOCTOR WHO
JUST SAID THAT THE TERMINATION
CARE.
OF A PREGNANCY IS NOT HEALTH
I UNDERSTAND HIS PREMISE.
BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE
IN AMERICA HAVE ADOPTED THE
PREMISE THAT IF SOMEBODY COMES
TO THE HOSPITAL, A WOMAN COMES
TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAS AT
GREAT RISK TO HER LIFE A
PREGNANCY WHICH IS CAUSING HER
HEALTH TO BE AT GREAT RISK AND
HER LIFE AS WELL, WHAT THIS
BILL DOES IS SAYS, YOU DON'T
HAVE TO INTERVENE.
UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S PROTECTING
LIFE, I SAY TO MY FRIEND.
IN FACT, I THINK IT IS IGNORING
THE PROTECTION OF LIFE.
MOREOVER, IT DOES NOTHING TO
CREATE JOBS, WHICH IS WHAT
CONGRESS SHOULD BE FOE CUTSING
ON DURING THIS TIME WHEN SO
MANY AMERICANS ARE OUT OF WORK.
FRANKLY, YOU HAVE CRITICIZED
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES FOR SUBMITTING A JOBS
BILL TO THIS CONGRESS THAT
DOESN'T HAVE A CHANCE OF
PASSAGE.
I'VE HEARD THAT OVER AND OVER
AGAIN.
ALL OF YOU KNOW THIS HAS NO
CHANCE OF PASS AM.
IT MAY PASS THIS HOUSE.
I HOPE NOT.
I URGE ITS DEFEAT.
BUT IT WON'T PASS.
IT WON'T BECOME LAW.
SO WHILE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS'
QUALITY OF LIFE IS PUT AT RISK
BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF JOBS AND
OPPORTUNITY THEY HAVE, WE
CONSIDER WHAT I BELIEVE IS
SIMPLY LEGISLATION TO SPEAK TO
A PARTICULAR INTEREST GROUP IN
OUR PARTIES.
I UNDERSTAND THAT.
REPUBLICANS COME TO THIS FLOOR
AND SPEAK ALL THE TIME ABOUT
KEEPING GOVERNMENT OUT OF
PEOPLE'S LIVES.
BUT THIS BILL DOES EXACTLY THE
OPPOSITE.
WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT WOMEN
ABLE TO SPEND THEIR
OWN MONEY ON COMPREHENSIVE
REFORM FOR REPRODUCTIVE
COVERAGE UNDER A NEW HEALTH
EXCHANGE.
YOU DON'T WANT US TO TELL
PEOPLE THEY HAVE TO HAVE
INSURANCE, BUT YOU WANT TO TELL
THEM WHAT THEY CAN'T HAVE IN
INSURANCE WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.
I'M NOT SURE I GET THE
DISTINCTION THERE.
DISTINCTION.
MAYBE YOU CAN COME UP WITH A
BUT IT CERTAINLY IS A VERY
NUANCED ONE IF IT EXISTS AT
ALL.
EVEN MORE UNBELIEVABLY, DO YOU
HAVE AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE?
I YIELD THE
GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.
EVEN MORE
UNBELIEVABLE, THE BILL WILL
ALLOW A HOSPITAL TO REFUSE
EMERGENCY CARE OF THIS KIND
EVEN WHEN NECESSARY TO SAVE
THEIR LIVES.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU
INTEND.
I CERTAINLY HOPE IT'S NOT.
BUT IT IS THE INTERPRETATION
THAT MANY OF US HAVE PUT ON THE
OF YOUR BILL.
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THIS
HOUSE, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN
DEBATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
WE ADOPTED A HYDE AMENDMENT.
THE PREMISE OF THE HYDE
AMENDMENT WAS THAT WE SHOULDN'T
TAKE TAXPAYERS' MONEY AND SPEND
IT ON AWORGS.
FRANKLY, I REPRESENT 60,000
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
WE PRECLUDED THEM FROM USING
THE SALARY THEY RECEIVE TO BUY
INSURANCE THAT HAS ABORTION
COVERAGE.
ALL THE TIME.
IT'S THEIR MONEY, I HEAR THAT
IT'S THEIR MONEY.
BUT YOU DON'T ALLOW THEM TO USE
THEIR MONEY FOR THAT PURPOSE.
NOW YOU ARE SAYING TO THE
PRIVATE SECTOR WOMEN, YOU CAN'T
USE YOUR MONEY.
YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
EITHER IT'S THEIR MONEY FOR
SERVICES THEY CONSTITUTIONALLY
CAN RECEIVE, IT'S NOT.
-- OR IT'S NOT.
DEFEAT THIS BILL.
LET US LET WOMEN, DOCTORS, AND
THEIR FAITH DEAL WITH IT.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER BEFORE
I YIELD TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, I
HAVE A COPY HERE OF THE LAW, ON
PAGE 65, I'LL READ ONE TITLE OF
A PARAGRAPH, ABORTIONS FOR
WHICH PUBLIC FUNDING IS
ALLOWED.
THIS TIME I YIELD TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, STEVE
SCALISE FOR ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR --
DID YOU SAY A MINUTE?
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
PENNSYLVANIA, DID YOU YIELD ONE
MINUTE?
ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR.
I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FOR YIELDING AND FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THE
PROTECT LIFE ACT TO THE FLOOR
OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEN WE LOOK AT A TIME RIGHT
NOW WHEN OUR COUNTRY IS GOING
BROKE, IT'S OFFENSIVE TO MOST
AMERICANS THAT TAXPAYER MONEY
CAN STILL BE USED TO SUBSIDIZE
ABORTION IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE HAD THIS DEBATE DURING THE
PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE LAW.
WE TRIED TO PUT REAL LANGUAGE
TO PROTECT THAT FROM HAPPENING.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE WEREN'T ABLE
TO GET THAT PROTECTION.
FOR THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO
REPEAL THE PRESIDENT' -- THE
PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE LAW
COMPLETELY, WE SENT THAT TO THE
SENATE AND THEY'VE TAKEN NO
ACTION.
BUT WE ARE HERE TO ADDRESS THIS
PROBLEM.
THERE SHOULD BE NO TAXPAYER
MONEY ALLOWED TO BE USED TO
SUBSIDIZE ABORTION.
IF YOU LOOK IN THE BILL, THERE
ARE EMPLOYERS OUT THERE
PROVIDING GOOD HEALTH CARE TO
THEIR EMPLOYERS -- EMPLOYEES
TODAY YET UNDER THE LAW THE
PRESIDENT PASSED AND SIGNED
INTO LAW, FEDERAL OFFICIALS
COULD TELL THOSE PRIVATE
EMPLOYERS THAT THEY HAVE TO
PROVIDE ABORTION SERVICES IN
THEIR POLICY.
THIS PREVENTS THAT FROM
HAPPENING AS WELL.
IT GIVES CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS
SO IF THERE'S A MEDICAL
PROFESSIONAL THAT DOESN'T WANT
TO PARTICIPATE IN ABORTION,
THEY DON'T HAVE TO.
THESE ARE ALL COMMON SENSE
PROPOSALS THAT SHOULD PASS AND
HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND
THEY SHOULD ALSO PASS THE
SENATE.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO OUR
RANKING MEMBER OF THE ENERGY
AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR
THREE MINUTES.
MADAM CHAIR AND
MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS OF THE
UNITED STATES THIS BILL IS AN
ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.
WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE
IN THIS COUNTRY, THE ECONOMIC
CRISIS, POVERTY LEVELS AT THE
HIGHEST WE'VE SEEN IN A
GENERATION, URGENT NEEDS FOR
OUR SCHOOLS, AMERICANS STILL
TOO DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL
AND IMPORTED ENERGY, WHAT DOES
THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP BRING
UP FOR US TO DEBATE?
YET ANOTHER BILL TO LIMIT
WOMEN'S ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH SERVICES.
I SAY ANOTHER BILL BECAUSE THE
HOUSE HAS ALREADY ADOPTED H.R.
AND THAT BILL CODIFIED INTO
LAW THAT NO FEDERAL DOLLARS
WOULD BE USED TO PAY FOR
ABORTION SERVICES, WHETHER IT'S
UNDER MEDICAID, THE TRADITIONAL
HYDE AMENDMENT, OR THE D.C.
APPROPRIATIONS OR FOR FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES OR WOMEN WHO SERVE IN
THE MILITARY OR THOSE WHO GET
SUBSIDIES UNDER THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT.
WHAT THIS BILL SEEKS TO DO,
PURE AND SIMPLE, IS TO DESTROY
ONE OF THE MOST HARD FOUGHT BUT
DELICATELY BALANCED SECTIONS OF
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, THAT
WAS ON ABORTION.
THIS SECTION CAME ABOUT AS A
RESULT OF A LOT OF HARD WORK BY
MANY MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND
SENATE, PARTICULARLY SENATOR
NELSON, WHOSE PRO-LIFE RECORD
SPEAKS FOR ITSELF CLEARLY AND
UNEQUIVOCALLY.
THE LAW PROHIBITS THE USE OF
FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ABORTION.
IT KEEPS STATE AND FEDERAL
ABORTION-RELATED LAWS IN PLACE.
THAT THOSE WHOSE
CONSCIENCE DICTATES AGAINST
ABORTION ARE PROTECTED AND NOT
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.
AND IT WENT FURTHER.
THE LANGUAGE IN THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT SAID YOU CANNOT USE
ANY SUBSIDIES TO PAY FOR YOUR
ABORTION INSURANCE COVERAGE.
YOU HAD TO USE ONLY PRIVATE,
PERSONAL DOLLARS.
THIS BILL WOULD RESTRICT
INSURANCE PLANS' FLEXIBILITY
REGARDING ABORTION COVERAGE AND
I THINK IT WILL RESULT IN A
VIRTUAL SHUTDOWN OF PRIVATE
COVERAGE FOR THIS SERVICE FOR
EVERYONE.
THIS LEGISLATION ALSO TAKES
AWAY THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT'S
LIMITED ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
PROTECTION FOR THOSE PROVIDERS
WHOSE CONSCIENCE DICTATES THAT
ABORTION.
WOMEN SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO
IT'S A LEGAL AND IN MANY CASES
AN APPROPRIATE MEDICAL SERVICE.
AMONG THE MOST DISTURBING
FEATURES OF THIS BILL, THIS
PITTS BILL, IT WOULD SAY THAT
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WOULD
REMAIN OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE
EMERGENCY SERVICE, NO LONGER BE
REQUIRED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY
SERVICES AS REQUIRED UNDER THE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND
ACTIVE LABOR ACT KNOWN AS
EMTALA.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF SOMEONE
WROUGHT IN A WOMAN WHO MAY DAY
-- I ASK FOR AN ADDITIONAL
MINUTE.
I YIELD THE
GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
A WOMAN WHO MAY P
DIE FROM HER PREGNANCY, SHE'S
IN FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE, A
DOCTOR CAN REFUSE TO GIVE HER
EMERGENCY SERVICES IF HIS
CONSCIENCE WOULD PROHIBIT
PERFORMING AN ABORTION.
THIS IS A FULL-THROTTLED
ASSAULT ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND A
WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.
IT'S NOT WHAT THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE VOTED FOR LAST NOVEMBER.
WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING OUR
ATTENTION ON JOBS, ECONOMIC
GROWTH AND THE NUMEROUS
PRESSING, IMPORTANT CHALLENGES
WE FACE AS A NATION.
THIS IS A SHAMELESS, JUST A
SHAMELESS BILL, I URGE A NO
VOTE ON H R. 358.
I YIELD BACK THE REST OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
PENNSYLVANIA.
I YIELD TO THE
DISTINGUISHED VICE CHAIRMAN OF
THE SUBCOMMITTEE, DR. BURGESS,
FOR ONE MIN.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
I THANK THE
CHAIRMAN, I JUST WANT TO
RESPOND TO WHAT WE JUST HEARD
ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.
H.R. 358 DOES NOT CHANGE
CURRENT LAW OR ANY STANDARD
RELATED TO STANDARD 167 OF THE
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT COMMONLY
REFERRED TO AS EMTALA.
IT STATES A HOSPITAL MUST
PROVIDE TREATMENT OR
STABILIZATION OF A MEDICAL
CONDITION.
PRAR E DEFINES AN EMERGENCY
MEDICAL CONDITION AS A MEDICAL
CONDITION OF SUFFICIENT
SEVERITY SUCH THAT THE ABSENCE
OF IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
COULD BE REASONABLY EXPECTED TO
PLACE THE LIFE AND HEALTH OF A
PREGNANT WOMAN OR HER UNBORN
CHILD IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY.
EMTALA CURRENTLY RECOGNIZES
BOTH LIVES THEREFORE THIS
PROVIDES PROTECTIONS CONSISTENT
WITH THE EMERGENCY TREATMENT
REQUIREMENTS OF -- REQUIREMENTS
OF CURRENT LAW UNDER EMTALA.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD TWO
MINUTES TO A MEMBER OF THE
HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE, MR. ENGEL
OF NEW YORK.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS
RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.
I RISE TODAY IN
STRONG OPPOSITION AND I MUST
SAY HONEST BAFFLEMENT TO THIS
SO-CALLED PROTECH LIFE ACT.
I'M BAFFLED BECAUSE IT
STRETCHES THE LIMITS OF THE
RATIONAL MIND TO IMAGINE WHY
GRANDPA OF PEOPLE WHO
THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, A
SUPPOSEDLY SAY THEY -- A GROUP
WHO SUPPOSEDLY SAY
THEY LIMIT GOVERNMENT
INVOLVEMENT IN EVERY WAY
POSSIBLE WHY THEY CAN'T TO
INSERT THEMS AND THE GOVERNMENT
INTO THE PERSONAL HEALTH CARE
DECISIONS OF AMERICANS ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
WHAT'S EVEN MORE BAFFLING IS
THAT FOR 30 YEARS, FEDERAL LAW
HAS PROHIBITED FEDERAL FUNDING
OF ABORTIONS.
IT'S ONE THING TO SAY THE
GOVERNMENT WON'T PAY FOR
ABORTIONS BUT QUITE ANOTHER AS
WE'RE DOING HERE TO SAY THAT
WOMEN CAN'T USE THEIR OWN
DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ABORTION
COVERAGE.
HERE WE ARE WITH THIS ABSURD
SONG AND DANCE THAT HAS NO
BASIS IN REALITY, IT IS
ENTIRELY ABOUT SCORING
POLITICAL POINTS WITH THE
REPUBLICAN BASE ONCE AGAIN
WHILE AS MY COLLEAGUES SAID
DOING NOTHING TO HELP
EMPLOYMENT AND CREATE JOBS IN
THIS COUNTRY.
IF THIS BILL STOPPED BEING
ABSURD IT WOULD BE ONE THING
BUT MORE THAN ABSURD THIS CRUEL
LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW
HOSPITALS TO REFUSE TO PROVIDE
ABORTION CARE EVEN IF SHE WOULD
DIE WITHOUT IT.
MY COLLEAGUES WHO CLAIM THEY
WANT SMALL GOVERNMENT AND SAY
THEY WANT TO GET THE GOVERNMENT
OUT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES, THIS IS
A HELL OF A WAY TO DO IT OR TO
.
PROVE IT.
VOTE NO ON H.R. 358.
THE GENTLEMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT
PUBLIC FUNDING BEING USED FOR
ABORTIONS, USING TAXPAYER MONEY,
FOR *** OR SAVE THE LIFE OF
THE WOMAN OR TO ***?
WOULD WE DENY WOMEN THE RIGHT TO
HAVE AN ABORTION IF THEY WERE
*** OR IT WOULD SAVE THEIR
I THINK NOT.
LIVES?
I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN
SEE THROUGH THIS ONE.
THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN
PLAYING TO THE BASE.
BAD POLICY FOR THIS COUNTRY.
LET'S GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF
PEOPLE'S LIVES AND VOTE NO ON
THIS BILL.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
I YIELD TO ANOTHER
DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE
HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE, THE
FROM GEORGIA, DR. PHIL
GINGREY FOR ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA FOR
YIELDING AND COMMEND HIM FOR HIS
GREAT WORK ON THIS BILL.
AS A PRACTICING DOCTOR FOR
NEARLY 30 YEARS, I BELIEVE ALL
LIFE IS SAY CREDIT HAVING
DELIVERED 5,000 BABIES IN THIS
WORLD AND HAVE A DEEP
PROCEEDINGS FOR HOW WONDERFUL
LIFE IS.
THE ISSUE OF ABORTION IS A
PERSONAL MATTER FOR ME AS IT IS
FOR MANY IN THIS COUNTRY AND
BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ON THIS
ISSUE.
THE DEBATE ON THE ISSUE OF
ABORTION IN THIS COUNTRY, THAT'S
NOT WHY WE ARE ON THE FLOOR
TODAY.
WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ANSWER ONE
QUESTION.
SHOULD TAXPAYER DOLLARS BE USED
TO FUND ABORTIONS.
AND WHEN AN ELECTIVE PROCEDURE,
A CHOICE, CAN DECIDE BETWEEN
LIFE AND DEATH, I WOULD SUGGEST
THAT IT IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION
TO ANSWER.
THE PROTECT LIFE ACT IS A PIECE
OF LEGISLATION THAT SEEKS TO
ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND SET
RIGHT WHAT THE CONGRESS GOT
WRONG.
SPEAKING AS A GRANDFATHER, A
FATHER, A SON AND OB-GYN
PHYSICIAN, I WILL BE VOTING TO
ENSURE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT DOES
NOT PUT TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEHIND
ABORTION.
ANY PERSON WHO SEEKS AN ELECTIVE
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
CAN I ASK HOW MUCH
TIME REMAINS ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE AISLE?
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY HAS 16
MINUTES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA
HAS 20 3/4.
I THINK WE SHOULD
RESERVE SINCE YOU HAVE A LOT
MORE TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, AT
THIS TIME, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO
MISSOURI,.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE
PROTECT LIFE ACT WHICH WILL
ENSURE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE NOT
USED TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS.
IT IS RIGHT AND PROPER WE SHOULD
DO SO.
EVERY LIFE DESERVES TO BE BORN
AND WORTHY OF LIFE.
EVERY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE AND A
PLAN.
KING DAVID
REMINDS US OF THE VALUE OF LIFE
WHEN HE PENED THE FOLLOWING.
WHEN YOU CREATED MY IN-MOST
BEAM.
I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I'M
WONDERFULLY MADE.
YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL.
I KNOW THAT FULL WELL.
MY FRAME WAS NOT HIDDEN FROM YOU
WHEN I WAS MADE IN A SECRET
PLACE.
WHEN I WAS WOULD HE HAVEN
TOGETHER, YOUR EYES SAW MY BODY.
ALL THE DAYS WERE WRITTEN FOR ME
IN A BOOK BEFORE ONE OF THEM
CAME TO BE.
I'M THANKFUL THAT OUR
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THAT
WE ARE ENDO YOUED BY OUR CREATOR
WITH UNALIENABLE RIGHTS
INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO LIFE.
THE FOUNDING FATHERS LAID OUT
THE PRINCIPLE OF LIFE AND TODAY
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
AFFIRM AND CARRY ON THAT MANTLE
BY PASSING THE PROTECT LIFE ACT.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD 1 1/2
MINUTES TO THE THE GENTLEMAN
FROM RHODE ISLAND, MR.
CICILLINE.
I RISE IN STRONG
OPPOSITION TO THIS DANGEROUS
LEGISLATION, WHICH WILL, IN
FACT, ENDANGER THE LIVES OF
WOMEN.
WITH ONLY 23 LEGISLATIVE DAYS
REMAINING IN THIS SESSION, I'M
STUNNED BY THE DECISION TO WASTE
PRECIOUS TIME DEBATING THIS
BILL, THIS UNPRECEDENTED ATTACK
ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND THE RIGHT
HEALTH CARE.
OF WOMEN TO ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE
WE SHOULD DEBATING WAYS TO GROW
OUR ECONOMY, CREATE JOBS AND
AND SCHOOLS TO
PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND
IMPROVE OUR COMPETITIVENESS IN
THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE.
INSTEAD OF HOW WE CREATE JOBS,
WE ARE DEBATING THE MERITS OF A
BILL ON WAGING THE WAR ON WOMEN.
IS -- THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.
I'M CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THIS BODY
WOULD NEVER DARE TO ENACT
LEGISLATION LIMITING THE ABILITY
OF MEN TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO
AND END THE ATTACK ON WOMEN'S
RIGHTS AND HEALTH AND FOCUS ON
JOB CREATION AND I YIELD BACK
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO
THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE,
MS. BLACK.
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
FOR OVER 30 YEARS,
THE HYDE AMENDMENT IN
CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER POLICIES
HAS REGULATED THE FEDERAL
FUNDING OF ABORTIONS UNDER
PROGRAMS SUCH AS MEDICAID AND
TOGETHER THESE VARIOUS POLICIES
ENSURE THAT THE AMERICAN
TAXPAYER IS NOT INVOLVED IN
FUNDING THE DESTRUCTION OF
INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE AND DESPITE
THE ASSURANCES FROM PRESIDENT
OBAMA, THE PATIENT PROTECTION
AND AFFORDABILITY CARE ACT WILL
ALLOW FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUBSIDIZE
ABORTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME
SINCE 1976 THROUGH STATE HIGH
RISK POOLS.
WHILE THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER WAS AN ATTEMPT TO REASSURE
CONGRESS AFTER THE STUPAK
AMENDMENT DID NOT MAKE IT INTO
THE BILL'S FINAL VERSION, IT IS
NOT EFFECTIVE LAW.
THIS BILL WOULD PROHIBIT FUNDING
FOR ABORTIONS AND ABORTION
COVERAGE.
THIS LEGISLATION ALSO PROTECTS
THE CONSCIENCE RIGHTS FOR HEALTH
CARE WORKERS SUCH AS MYSELF BY
PROVIDING THE FEDERAL AGENCIES
AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS'
FUNDING BY NOT DISCRIMINATING
ENTITIES WHO
REFUSE TO BE INVOLVED IN
ABORTION.
COULD I ASK FOR 15 MORE SECONDS?
I YIELD 15 SECONDS.
THIS BILL IS NOT
ABOUT A MOTHER'S RIGHT TO
CHOOSE.
RATHER THIS IS ABOUT ENSURING
PROPER RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE
IN ORDER TO ENSURE TAXPAYER
FUNDS ARE NOT USED TO FUND
ABORTION UNDER THE PATIENT
CARE ACT.
PROTECTION AND AFFORDABILITY
I YIELD BACK MY TIME
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD ONE MINUTE
TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM
CALIFORNIA, MR. THOMPSON.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I RISE IN STRONG
OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
A NEW POLL TODAY SUGGESTS THAT
THE 9-9-9 CAMPAIGN THREEM OF THE
NEW REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL
FRONT RUNNER IS STARTING TO GAIN
AND THE MAJORITY HAS
TAKEN A PAGE FROM THE PLAYBOOK,
BECAUSE THIS IS THE 10TH MONTH
WITHOUT A JOBS BILL ON THE
FLOOR, 10TH WE PUT SOCIAL ISSUES
AND ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH
BEFORE JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC
SECURITY.
AND THE 10TH AMENDMENT ATTEMPT
AT REPEALING PARTS OR ALL OF THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.
THIS BILL CREATES NO JOBS.
IT DOESN'T HELP THE ECONOMY AND
INSERTS THE GOVERNMENT SMACK IN
THE MIDDLE OF PEOPLE'S HEALTH
CARE DECISIONS.
I URGE A NO VOTE ON THIS BILL
AND URGE THE MAJORITY TO GET TO
WORK IN CREATING JOBS.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
I'M PLEASED TO YIELD
TO ANOTHER LEADER ON THE LIFE
ISSUE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA,
MR. KING.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FROM FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND I'M
PRIVILEGED TO BE ON THE FLOOR
WITH PRO-LIFE ACTIVISTS.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROTECT
LIFE ACT AND WE SHOULD TALK
ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND
THOSE DOLLARS THAT WOULD GO ON
IN ABORTION CLINICS.
THINK ABOUT HOW CRUEL IT IS TO
TAKE FORCEPS AND PULL A BABY
APIECE.
A FULLY FORMED, PERFECTLY FORMED
AND PERFECTLY INNOCENT BABY
PULLED APART PIECE BY PIECE AND
PUT INTO A PAN.
IT IS GASLY, GHOULISH AND
GROTESQUE AND NEVER COMPEL
TAXPAYERS TO PAY TORE SOMETHING
THAT YOU WILL NEVER SEE A VIDEO
OF IT.
IT IS A PROCESS THAT DEGRADES
OUR ENTIRE CULTURE AND TO ARGUE
THAT WOMEN CAN'T SPEND THEIR OWN
DOLLARS TO GET AN ABORTION ISN'T
TRUE.
THERE IS A SIDE PIECE IN THIS
THAT STILL PREVAILS AND ALWAYS
THAT CASH RIGHT UP TO THE
PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
I URGE SPOORT FOR THE PROTECT
AND I CONGRATULATE THE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE STOOD FOR UNBORN
LIFE SO MANY TIMES ON THE FLOOR
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD ONE MINUTE
TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK,
MS. VELAZQUEZ.
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING.
AT A TIME WHEN THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE ARE CRYING OUT FOR ACTION
ON JOBS, WE ARE DEBATING
LEGISLATION THAT WILL TAKE AWAY
WOMEN'S FUNDAMENTAL REPRODUCTIVE
RIGHTS.
THE LEGISLATION BEFORE THIS
HOUSE GOES FAR BEYOND THAT,
RESTRICTING FOR THE FIRST TIME
HOW WOMEN WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE
CAN SPEND THEIR OWN PRIVATE
DOLLARS IN PURCHASING INSURANCE.
FOR WOMEN, THIS BILL CONSTITUTES
NOTHING LESS THAN A FULL-FLEDGED
ASSAULT ON THEIR RIGHT TO
CHOOSE.
MADAM SPEAKER, WITH EIGHT
MILLION UNEMPLOYED IN THIS
COUNTRY, WITH WAGES GOING DOWN,
POVERTY IS ON THE RISE, AND THIS
IS ALL THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE
TO OFFER.
THIS IS WHY PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY
IN THE STREETS DEMANDING
SOLUTIONS TO THE JOB CRISIS,
SEEKING GREATER OPPORTUNITY AND
AN END TO ECONOMIC INEQUALITY.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO NOT WANT
IDEOLOGICAL POSTURING.
THEY WANT REAL SOLUTIONS THAT
CREATE REAL JOBS.
VOTE DOWN THIS LEGISLATION.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
I'M PLEASED AT THIS
TIME TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO
ANOTHER ELOQUENT VOICE FOR THE
UNBORN, THE CHAIR OF THE
PRO-LIFE WOMEN'S CAUCUS, MS.
SCHMIDT FROM OHIO.
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
I'M ONE OF THE
FOLKS THAT READ THE BILL WF WE
PASSED IT AND THERE IS FEDERAL
FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND WHAT
THIS BILL DOES IS IT SEEKS TO
CORRECT THAT LANGUAGE.
THE HYDE AMENDMENT CLEARLY
STATES THAT NO FEDERAL TAX
AND AT THE TIME THE HYDE
DOLLARS CAN BE USED FOR ABORTION
AMENDMENT WAS CREATED, ONLY HAD
MEDICAID TO WORRY ABOUT.
WITH VAST CHANGES IN OUR
LIFESTYLES, OTHER AVENUES HAVE
COME FORWARD FOR FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR ABORTION TO OCCUR.
TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE
AMERICAN PUBLIC IS SAD.
WE ARE CONFLICTED ON THE ISSUE
OF ABORTION BUT NOT CONFLICTED
ABOUT NOT USING FEDERAL FUNDS TO
PAY FOR IT.
JUST IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, 61%
OF RESPONDENTS ON A CNN POLL
SAID NO FEDERAL FUNDING OF
ABORTION.
WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS WHAT WE
SHOULD HAVE DONE IN MARCH OF
2010, NOT ALLOW ANY FEDERAL
TO PAY FOR
ABORTION ANY TIME, ANY PLACE IN
THIS HEALTH CARE BILL.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PASS
THIS AND CORRECT THE LANGUAGE
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A
YEAR AGO.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I WOULD ASK MY
COLLEAGUE -- I WOULD LIKE TO
RESERVE, BECAUSE I THINK THERE
IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE TIME ON
YOUR SIDE.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
AT THIS TIME, I YIELD
TO ANOTHER OUTSTANDING VOICE FOR
THE UNBORN, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
INDIANA, MR. PENCE, FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY
REMARKS.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE
WITH A GRATEFUL HEART AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR BIPARTISAN
LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THIS
LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR.
I BELIEVE THAT ENDING AN
INNOCENT LIFE IS MORALLY WRONG
WRONG TO TAKE
THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND USE IT
TO SUBSIDIZE ABORTION OR
ABORTION COVERAGE IN THIS
COUNTRY.
AS IT STANDS TODAY, OBAMACARE
REQUIRES TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS
AND SUBSIDIZE HEALTH CARE PLANS
THAT COVER ABORTIONS.
THIS LEGISLATION WILL CORRECT
THAT PROFOUND FLAW IN THIS
LEGISLATION.
NOW, I KNOW PRESIDENT OBAMA
ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DURING
THE HEAT OF THE LEGISLATIVE
BATTLE OVER OBAMACARE, BUT WE
ALL KNOW EXECUTIVE ORDERS DO NOT
CARRY THE FORCE OF LAW AND CAN
BE OVERTURNED BY THE COURTS AND
SUPERSEDED BY STATUTE.
OBAMACARE SHOULD BE REPEALED.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, LET'S TAKE
THIS MOMENT TO SAY YES TO LIFE
AND REPPING THE VALUES OF TENS
OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS AND
MAKE RIGHT THAT WHICH WAS WRONG
IN OBAMACARE ITSELF.
LET'S PASS THE PROTECT LIFE ACT
AND PROTECT TAXPAYERS OF
PRO-LIFE VALUES ALL ACROSS THIS
COUNTRY AND DO IT NOW.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD TWO MINUTES
TO THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM
WISCONSIN, WHO IS A MEMBER OF
THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE, MS.
BALDWIN.
I --
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO
.
MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
CREATING JOBS AND GROWING OUR
ECONOMY.
JUST WHEN WE SHOULD BE PULLING
TOGETHER TO WORK ON THESE
ISSUES, INSTEAD REPUBLICANS HAVE
PUT FORTH DIVISIVE AND EXTREME
LEGISLATION THAT TAKES AWAY
WOMEN'S ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR
OWN IMPORTANT LIFE DECISIONS
ABOUT THEIR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
THIS EXTREMIST LEGISLATION IS AN
UNPRECEDENTED DISPLAY OF LACK OF
RESPECT FOR AMERICAN WOMEN AND
OUR SAFETY.
THE EFFECT OF THIS BILL WOULD BE
TO CUT OFF MILLIONS OF WOMEN
FROM THE PRIVATE CARE THEY
ALREADY HAVE AND LIMIT THE
ABILITY OF A WOMAN TO GET THE
CARE SHE NEEDS, EVEN IF THE
RESULT IS A SERIOUS PERMANENT
HEALTH CONDITION THAT COULD
SHORTEN HER LIFE.
SO, WE NOW KNOW THE REPUBLICANS'
REAL AGENDA, TO ROLL BACK
WOMEN'S HEALTH AND RIGHTS.
THEY HAVE SHOWN THEIR TRUE
COLORS BY TRYING TO WEAKEN ***
AND *** EXCEPTIONS FOR
ABORTIONS.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE BUT A
MAJORITY OF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE
MEMBERS CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION
TO GIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES NEW
AUTHORITY TO DECIDE IF A WOMAN
HAD BEEN *** AND TO DENY CARE
TO *** VICTIMS.
THANKS TO THE AMERICAN WOMEN WHO
SPOKE OUT, THIS DANGEROUS
PROVISION WAS DROPPED.
BUT I THINK IT RAISES AN
IMPORTANT QUESTION, IF
REPUBLICANS ARE WILLING TO
REDEFINE WHAT CONSTITUTES ***
AND ***, WHAT ARE THEY GOING
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
TO TRY NEXT?
IT IS TIME FOR THE REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY TO RESPECT WOMEN'S
IMPORTANT LIFE DECISIONS AND IT
IS TIME THAT THEY START TO STAND
AND START TO REFOCUS ON THE
PRIORITIES OF THIS COUNTRY RIGHT
NOW, JOBS AND GROWING THE
ECONOMY.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO OPPOSE
THIS EXTREME AND INTRUSIVE
LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, BEFORE
I YIELD THE NEXT GENTLEMAN, IN
RESPONSE TO THE GENTLELADY, THE
HOUSE HAS PASSED 12 DIFFERENT
JOBS BILLS ALREADY.
I BELIEVE THE LADY HAS VOTED
AGAINST EVERY ONE.
THEY'RE SITTING IN THE SENATE
WAITING FOR ACTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD ONE MINUTE
TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA,
ANOTHER LEADER IN THE PRO-LIFE
MINUTE.
MOMENT, MR. FRANKS, FOR ONE
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I CERTAINLY THANK
THE GENTLEMAN.
MADAM SPEAKER, WHEN OBAMACARE
WAS BEING UNCEREMONYIOUSLY
RAMMED THROUGH THIS CONGRESS
AGAINST THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE, DEMOCRATS TRIED TO
ASSURE EVERYONE THAT IT WAS ALL
ABOUT COMPASSION.
MADAM SPEAKER, NOTHING SO
COMPLETELY DESTROYS THE NOTION
THAT OBAMACARE WAS EVER ABOUT
COMPASSION MORE THAN THE TRAGIC
DETERMINATION ON THE PART OF THE
DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP TO INCLUDE
THE KILLING OF LITTLE CHILDREN
BY ABORTION IN ITS PROVISIONS.
MADAM SPEAKER, AS WE FACE A DEBT
THAT GROWS BY $4 BILLION UNDER
THE STRAIN OF MR. OBAMA'S
RECORD-SETTING SPENDING EVERY
DAY, MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL ASK
OURSELVES A QUESTION.
AND THAT IS, IS SETTING ASIDE
MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO
PAY FOR THE KILLING OF INNOCENT
UNBORN CHILDREN REALLY ONE OF
OUR FINANCIAL PRIORITIES?
AND IF IT IS, WE SHOULD ASK
ANOTHER QUESTION AND THAT IS,
WHAT IN GOD'S NAME HAS BECOME OF
ALL OF US?
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
MADAM SPEAKER, CAN
I ASK ABOUT THE TIME AGAIN?
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY HAS 11
MINUTES REMAINING.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA
HAS 14 1/4 MINUTES.
IF I COULD RESERVE
ONCE AGAIN.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, AT
THIS TIME I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO
THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR.
AUSTRIA.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER, AND I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA FOR
AS A MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL
HIS HARD WORK ON THIS BILL AND
PRO-LIFE CAUCUS AND ORIGINAL
CO-SPONSOR OF THIS BILL, I
LIFE ACT.
STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PROTECT
YOU KNOW, WE HEARD DURING THE
HEALTH CARE REFORM DEBATE THAT
TAX DOLLARS WOULD NOT BE USED TO
FUND ABORTIONS.
HOWEVER, THIS IMPORTANT LANGUAGE
WAS STRIPPED FROM THE FINAL BILL
AND REPLACED WITH ACCOUNTING
GIMMICKS AND AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
THAT COULD REVERSE -- BE
REVERSED AT ANY TIME BY THIS
PRESIDENT OR FUTURE
ADMINISTRATIONS.
THIS OPENS DOORS FOR FEDERALLY
FUNDED ABORTIONS IN THE FUTURE
AND GOES AGAINST THE MAJORITY OF
AMERICANS WHO BELIEVE THAT THE
GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE
BUSINESS OF PAYING FOR
ABORTIONS.
CONGRESS MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT
THE LIVES OF OUR UNBORN CHILDREN
AND TO FULLY ENSURE THAT NO TAX
DOLLARS FROM OBAMACARE ARE USED
TO FUND ABORTIONS.
THE PROTECT LIFE ACT ALSO
ENSURES THAT MEDICAL PROVIDERS
AND WORKERS ARE NOT
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FOR
REFUSING TO PERFORM ABORTIONS.
THESE PROTECTIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO
THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AROUND
THE NATION WHOSE CORE VALUES
INCLUDE DEEPLY HELD BELIEF THAT
WE MUST PROTECT ALL HUMAN LIFE.
AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE
FOR THE PROTECT LIFE ACT.
AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF
MY TIME.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
MADAM SPEAKER, I
YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO, MS.
SUTTON.
THE
GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY IS AT IT AGAIN.
WITH NO REAL JOBS PLAN WE'VE
SEEN THIS MAJORITY ATTEMPT TO
THRUST ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
BILLS THAT STRIP THEM OF THEIR
RIGHTS INSTEAD OF PUTTING THEM
BACK TO WORK.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, THOSE PROPOPING
THIS KNOW THIS EXTREME --
PROPOSING THIS KNOW THIS EXTREME
BILL WILL NOT BE PASSED BY THE
PRESIDENT.
SENATE OR PASSED INTO LAW BY THE
THIS IS AN ATTACK ON WOMEN,
ESPECIALLY POOR WOMEN.
IT'S EXTREME -- ITS EXTREME
PROVISIONS WILL JEOPARDIZE A
CARE.
WOMAN'S ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING
IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT THIS
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CONTINUES TO
FOCUS ON PROTECTING SUBSIDIES
FOR BIG OIL AND TAX CUTS FOR
BILLIONAIRES AND TARGETING WOMEN
AND THEIR ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.
INSTEAD OF WORKING TO HELP
CREATE JOBS AND EMPOWER WOMEN,
TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, THE
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS INSTEAD
TRYING TO PASS THIS BILL TO
ALLOW HOSPITALS TO REFUSE TO
PROVIDE CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING
CARE.
THAT MEANS FOR WOMEN IN RURAL
AREAS THAT MAY ONLY HAVE ACCESS
TO ONE HOSPITAL COULD BE LEFT TO
DIE.
THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE
PUTTING AMERICA'S WOMEN AT RISK.
THIS IS A TIME TO BE PUTTING
THEM AND ALL AMERICANS BACK TO
WORK.
I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
VOTE NO ON THIS EXTREME BILL.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, AT
THIS TIME I YIELD TO THE
DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM
ARIZONA, MR. FLAKE, ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FOR YIELDING AND I RISE IN
SUPPORT OF H.R. 358, THE PROTECT
LIFE ACT, OF WHICH I'M A
CO-SPONSOR.
IT'S BEEN THE PRACTICE OF THIS
HOUSE FOR DECADES TO ENSURE THAT
FEDERAL FUNDS ARE NOT USED FOR
ABORTION EXCEPT IN RARE CASES OF
OF THE MOTHER.
***, *** OR TO SAVE THE LIFE
THIS IS TYPICALLY DONE BY
ATTACHING LANGUAGE TO
APPROPRIATION BILLS THAT GO
THROUGH THIS HOUSE.
UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T ALWAYS
HAVE REGULAR ORDER,
APPROPRIATION BILLS THIS YEAR
WERE LIKELY TO SEE AN OMNIBUS OR
A VEHICLE THAT MIGHT NOT LEND
ITSELF TO THE ATTACHMENT OF THIS
LANGUAGE.
SO I THINK IT IS PRUDENT WLAT
HOUSE IS DOING TODAY -- WHAT THE
HOUSE IS DOING TODAY.
TO ENSURE THAT THIS LANGUAGE
GOES INTO LEGISLATION TO MAKE
SURE THAT FEDERAL FUNDS ARE NOT
USED FOR ABORTION SERVICES AND
TO CARRY ON THE WILL OF THIS
BODY AND FOR THAT I URGE SUPPORT
OF THE BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
MADAM SPEAKER, I
YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA,
MRS. CAPPS, WHO'S A MEMBER OF
THE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE.
THE
GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.
MADAM CHAIR, I RISE
IN OPPOSITION TO THIS MISGUIDED
LEGISLATION.
WHILE THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP
CLAIMS THAT THIS WEEK'S AGENDA
IS ALL ABOUT JOBS, THE
DISCUSSION OF THIS BILL ON THE
HOUSE FLOOR SHOWS THEIR TRUE
COLORS.
JUST LIKE WHEN THEY ALMOST SHUT
DOWN THE GOVERNMENT OVER PLANNED
PARENTHOOD.
TODAY WE ONCE AGAIN WITNESS HOW
IDEOLOGICAL CAMPAIGN PROMISES
TRUMP NEEDED ACTIONS ON JOBS AND
THE ECONOMY.
IT'S BEEN SAID BEFORE AND I'LL
SAY IT AGAIN, H.R. 358 DOES NOT
CREATE A SINGLE JOB.
NOT ONE.
INSTEAD ITS UNPRECEDENTED
ASSAULT ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN
AND FAMILIES EVERYWHERE, TO MAKE
IMPORTANT LIFE DECISIONS, THIS
BILL DOES A LOT.
IT LIMITS THE CHOICES OF WOMEN
AND FAMILIES TO PURCHASE HEALTH
DOLLARS.
INSURANCE WITH THEIR OWN
IT REMOVES VITAL PROTECTIONS TO
ENSURE THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN
WITH A LIFE-THREATENING
CONDITION CAN GET LIFE-SAVING
CARE.
AND CIRCUMVENTS STATE LAWS THAT
ENSURE WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO
PREVENTIVE SERVICES, SCREENINGS
AND BIRTH CONTROL.
BUT WHAT THIS BILL DOESN'T DO IS
TRUST OUR NATION'S WOMEN AND
FAMILIES TO MAKE THEIR OWN
HEALTH CARE CHOICES.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
SOME HAVE CLAIMED THAT THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS LED TO
IT IS FALSE.
TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTIONS.
OTHERS HAVE CLAIMED THAT THIS
BILL IS NOTHING BUT THE STUPAK
LANGUAGE THAT DIVIDED OUR
CHAMBER LAST YEAR.
I WAS INVOLVED IN EVERY DEBATE
OVER THE STUPAK AMENDMENT IN THE
HOUSE AND, MADAM CHAIR, I CAN
TELL YOU, THIS IS WAY BEYOND
THAT MISGUIDED AMENDMENT.
SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
ABANDON THIS DIVISIVE EFFORT,
PUT THE BRAKES ON THIS EXTREME
LEGISLATION AND LET US TURN OUR
FOCUS TO THE ISSUE OF JOB
CREATION, TO HELP THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, JUST
CORRECT THE GENTLELADY, THERE
WERE THREE STUPAK-PITTS
AMENDMENTS, TWO WERE ADOPTED IN
COMMITTEE AND ONE ON THE FLOOR,
WHICH GOT THE MOST PUBLICITY.
WITH THE SENATE THEY WERE ALL
TAKEN OUT.
STUPAK-PITTS AMENDMENT.
WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL
I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR.
HIGHSENER.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
HIGHS HIGHS THANK YOU, AND I --
MR. --
THEY DON'T WANT TO
TALK ABOUT THE PRECIOUSNESS OF
LIFE AND HOW THIS PROCEDURE
TAKES THE LIFE OF AN INNOCENT.
IT'S BEEN LABELED AN EXTREME
BILL, WHEN ACTUALLY THIS IS A
REASONABLE STEP THAT CODIFIES
WHAT THIS PRESIDENT SAYS IS HIS
OWN POSITION.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE A
BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO IS A DOCTOR
DOWN IN CINCINNATI AND A LITTLE
EARLIER TODAY I CALLED HIM TO
TALK TO HIM ABOUT WHAT HE WENT
THROUGH IN HIS TRAINING AND WHAT
HE HAD TO DEAL WITH WITH THIS
PARTICULAR ISSUE AND WHEN I
DESCRIBED TO WHIM WHAT WE WERE
TRYING TO DO ABOUT ALLOWING HIM
AND ANY OTHER MED STUDENT AND
ANY OTHER PERSON THAT'S GOING
THROUGH THAT TO OBJECT FROM
PUTTING FORWARD A PROCEDURE THAT
OF COURSE.
THEY DON'T AGREE WITH, HE SAID,
THAT MAKES SENSE.
WHEN I STARTED TALKING TO HIM
ABOUT SOME OF THE RHETORIC AND
SOME OF THE DEMAGOGUERY THAT'S
SURROUNDING THIS, HE
SARCASTICALLY SAID, BOY, THAT
DOESN'T SOUND POLITICAL, DOES
IT?
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT ARE
WATCHING THIS RIGHT NOW, THEY
NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS ABOUT
LIFE AND PROTECTING THAT LIFE
AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS HAVE THE ABILITY
TO SAY NO TO A PROCEDURE THAT
THEY DON'T WANT TO DO.
THANK YOU, MADAM IR.
-- MADAM.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
MADAM SPEAKER, I
WOULD YIELD NOW 30 SECONDS TO
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS, MS.
SHEILA JACKSON LEE.
THE
GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS IS
RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS.
MADAM SPEAKER,
LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.
THE ONLY NO THAT IS BEING SAID
IS THE NO TO THE VULNERABLE
THAT ARE TRAVELING IN AN
EMERGENCY AMBULANCE TO THE
HOSPITAL, DESIRING EMERGENCY
TREATMENT, DYING AND NOT BEING
ABLE TO BE TREATED.
NEEDING TO CORRECT A PROBLEM
THAT HAS IN FACT DAMAGED THEIR
HEALTH AND NOT BEING ABLE TO BE
TREATED.
NOT ONLY IS THIS BILL
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DOES NOT
PROMOTE ABORTION AND FRANKLY
FEDERAL FUNDS ARE NOT BEING
UTILIZED FOR ABORTION.
IT WILL COMPLICATE THE INSURANCE
PROCESS FOR ALL WOMEN IN
AMERICA, ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS A
SIREN GOING AROUND AND AROUND
AND AROUND.
THAT WOMANLY AING -- LAYING ON A
GURNEY, THAT HOSPITAL BEING ABLE
TO SAY NO AND, YES, THE ONLY NO
IS THAT SHE WILL NOT LIVE
BECAUSE THIS BILL IS PASSED.
I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE
AGAINST THIS BILL.
BILL.
VOTE FOR LIFE, VOTE AGAINST THIS
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, AT
THIS TIME I YIELD ONE MINUTE FOR
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING VOICE FOR
THE UNBORN, ONE OF OUR FRESHMEN
FROM OKLAHOMA, MR. LANKFORD.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY
REMARKS.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
WE'RE A NATION
THAT VALUES ALL LIFE.
WHEN A BRIDGE IS UNDER
CONSTRUCTION AND A MIGRATORY
BIRD NEST WITH EGGS IS
DISCOVERED, THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE FORCES THE DELAY OF
CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE BIRDS
HAVE HATCHED AND FLOWN AWAY.
WHY?
BECAUSE LIFE'S IMPORTANT TO US.
WHEN A BABY IS BORN PREMATURE,
WE SPEND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS TO SAVE THAT CHILD
BECAUSE EACH LIFE IS IMPORTANT
TO US.
WE HAVE ONE GLARING AND OBVIOUS
EXCEPTION TO THIS PASSION FOR
LIFE.
ABORTION.
FOR SOME REASON WE SEE THE LIFE
OF A DUCK AND ITS EGG AS MORE
VALUABLE THAN AN INFANT IN THE
WOMB.
FOR SOME REASON WE AND WE THINK
THAT A BABY BORN FIVE WEEKS
EARLY IS WORTHY OF HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY TO SAVE, BUT IF THAT
SAME MOTHER WERE TO HIRE A
DOCTOR TO REACH INTO THE WOMB
AND KILL THAT CHILD WITH
SCISSORS, FIVE WEEKS BEFORE
DELIVERY, SOME WOULD DEMAND HER
CHOICE MUST BE PROTECTED.
WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
CONSIDERED SELF-EVIDENT TRUTH,
THAT WE'VE BEEN ENDOWED BY OUR
CREATOR WITH CERTAIN RIGHTS,
INCLUDING LIFE, IS NOW A TOPIC
OPEN FOR DISCUSSION IN OUR
MODERN DAY ETHIC.
I STILL BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF
THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO
LEADERS THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO
IN PROVERBS 31, SPEAK FOR THOSE
WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES,
FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL ARE
DESTITUTE, SPEAK AND JUDGE
FAIRLY.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
THERE IS MORE TIME
ON THE OTHER SIDE SO I WOULD
RESERVE.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO
THE DISTINGUISHED THE GENTLEMAN
FROM TEXAS, MR. NEUGEBAUER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FOR HIS TIRELESS WORK
ON THE UNBORN.
I CAME DOWN HERE TO TALK ABOUT
LIFE AND MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS
THE AISLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE
JOBS BILL THAT THEIR PRESIDENT
INTRODUCED, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY,
THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, ZERO
MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATS HAD
CO-SIGNED THAT BILL.
BUT THE REASON I WANT TO TALK
TONIGHT IS THE RIGHT FOR THE
UNBORN.
AND WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN WE
DID THIS HEALTH CARE BILL, DON'T
WORRY ABOUT IT, WE'LL DO THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER, BECAUSE WE ARE
GOING TO TAKE THE STUPAK-PITTS
AMENDMENT OUT.
TRUTH OF THE MATTER, IF WE WERE
GOING TO DO THE STUPAK-PITTS --
EXECUTIVE ORDER, WHY DIDN'T WE
PASS THE STUPAK-PITTS AMENDMENT?
THE REASON IS BECAUSE INSIDE
THAT BILL IN SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS
IS THE ABILITY FOR TAXPAYERS'
MONEY TO BE USED FOR ABORTIONS.
IN FACT, ACCORDING TO THE
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR OF
RIGHT TO LIFE, OBAMACARE
PROVIDES AUTHORIZATIONS FOR
SUBSIDIES FOR ABORTIONS BOTH
IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT AND LET'S
VOTE FOR LIFE.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA
RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I YIELD TWO MINUTES
TO THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM
ILLINOIS, MS. SCHAKOWSKY.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR
TWO MINUTES.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING.
WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF
LEGISLATIVE DAYS BEFORE THE END
OF THE YEAR AND INSTEAD OF
FOCUSING ON JOBS OR THE ECONOMY,
THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP HAS DECIDED
ONCE AGAIN TO CONSIDER
LEGISLATION THAT ENDANGER AND
ATTACKS THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN.
H.R. 358 IS EXTREME LEGISLATION
THAT PUTS THE LIVES OF WOMEN IN
DANGER.
THIS LEGISLATION UNDERMINES THE
GUARANTEE OF EMERGENCY CARE
UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL
TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.
H.R. 358 STRIPS THE POWER TO
ENSURE THAT WOMEN RECEIVE
ABORTION CARE IN EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS AT HOSPITALS, BY
MAKING THEIR RIGHT TO HEALTH
CARE SECONDARY TO THE HOSPITAL'S
ABILITY TO REFUSE TO PROVIDE
ABORTION CARE.
ABORTION CARE IS NECESSARY IN
SOME CIRCUMSTANCES TO SAVE A
WOMAN'S LIFE.
DURING THE HEARING ON H.R. 358
IN THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE
COMMITTEE, SOME WITNESSES
WRONGLY CLAIMED THAT THIS IS NOT
THE CASE NFMENT RESPONSE TO
THOSE CLAIMS, DIRECTOR OF
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER
OF FAMILY PLANNING AND
CONTRACEPTION WROTE A LETTER
BASED ON HIS 20 ON YEARS' OF
EXPERIENCE TO THE COMMITTEE TO
SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
IN HIS LETTER, THE DOCTOR
STATES, QUOTE, MOST PATIENTS ARE
HEALTHY WOMEN HAVING HEALTHY
BABIES BUT I'M FREQUENTLY ASKED
TO PROVIDE ABORTIONS WOMEN
CONFRONTING SEVERAL TROUBLED
PREGNANCIES.
PHYSICIANS WHO PROVIDE HEALTH
CARE TO WOMEN CANNOT CHOOSE TO
IGNORE THE MORE TRAGIC
CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN PREGNANCY
NEITHER SHOULD CONGRESS,
UNQUOTE.
THIS LEGISLATION IS AN EXTREME
AND MEAN-SPIRITED WAY TO ROLL
BACK FOR WOMEN.
TOO EXTREME FOR WOMEN, AMERICA
AND WE MUST REJECT IT.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
I'M PLEASED TO YIELD
TWO MINUTES TO ONE OF THE