[House Document 105-158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress, 1st Session  - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-158


 
                           VETO OF H.R. 1122

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

HIS VETO OF H.R. 1122, A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, TO 
                      BAN PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS





 October 21, 1997.--Message and bill referred to the Committee on the 
                  Judiciary and ordered to be printed


    The White House, October 10, 1997.
To the House of Representatives:
    I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 1122, 
which would prohibit doctors from performing a certain kind of 
abortion. I am returning H.R. 1122 for exactly the same reasons 
I returned an earlier substantially identical version of this 
bill, H.R. 1833, last year. My veto message of April 10, 1996, 
fully explains my reasons for returning that bill and applies 
to H.R. 1122 as well. H.R. 1122 is a bill that is consistent 
neither with the Constitution nor sound public policy.
    As I have stated on many occasions, I support the decision 
in Roe v. Wade protecting a woman's right to choose. Consistent 
with that decision, I have long opposed late-term abortions, 
and I continue to do so except in those instances necessary to 
save the life of a woman or prevent serious harm to her health. 
Unfortunately, H.R. 1122 does not contain an exception to the 
measure's ban that will adequately protect the lives and health 
of the small group of women in tragic circumstances who need an 
abortion performed at a late stage of pregnancy to avert death 
or serious injury.
    I have asked the Congress repeatedly, for almost 2 years, 
to send me legislation that includes a limited exception for 
the small number of compelling cases where use of this 
procedure is necessary to avoid serious health consequences. 
When Governor of Arkansas, I signed a bill into law that barred 
third-trimester abortions, with an appropriate exception for 
life or health. I would do so again, but only if the bill 
contains an exception for the rare cases where a woman faces 
death or serious injury. I believe the Congress should work in 
a bipartisan manner to fashion such legislation.

                                                William J. Clinton.




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