[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 1996

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, March 7, 1996, 
during consideration of H.R. 3019, the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, 
I mistakenly voted ``nay'' on the Lowey amendment.
  This amendment would have deleted the bill's provision permitting 
States to decide whether to use Medicaid funds to pay for an abortion 
in the case of rape or incest. Had the amendment passed, it would have 
retained the current law which requires that States fund abortions in 
cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the woman.
  My vote against the Lowey amendment was purely accidental. I have 
always been and will continue to be 100 percent supportive of a woman's 
right to choose.

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