[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E336-E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BALANCED BUDGET DOWNPAYMENT ACT, II

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                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3019) making 
     appropriations for fiscal year 1996 to make a further 
     downpayment toward a balanced budget

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to day in strong support of the Lowey 
amendment, which deletes the provision in this legislation

[[Page E337]]

permitting States to decide whether to use Medicaid funds for abortions 
in the case of rape or incest.
  This provision is cruel, unfair, and has no place in any legislation, 
but most particularly not in this already troubled omnibus 
appropriations bill.
  States should not be given the option of providing coverage of these 
services under the guise of States' rights. States have the choice 
whether or not to participate in the Medicaid Program--they do not and 
should not have the option to pick and choose which procedures they 
will cover.
  The provision in this bill clearly discriminates against victims of 
crime. It blames the victim and forces her to accept the responsibility 
and consequences resulting from the violent crime perpetrated against 
her. Indigent women who are victims of rape or incest have already been 
brutally assaulted once by their attacker--this provision will make 
them victims of a second brutal assault, this time by the Government 
that pledges to assist and protect them.
  I urge my colleagues to protect the rights of poor and vulnerable 
victims and vote ``yes'' on the Lowey amendment.

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