[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CHANGE OF VOTE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, on September 26, the Senate failed to 
override the President's veto of a bill to ban a procedure known 
commonly as partial-birth abortion. Toward the end of that rollcall 
vote No. 301, I changed my vote to nay. At the time, I am sure all my 
colleagues realized why I did so. I immediately entered a motion to 
reconsider the vote by which the veto was sustained. In order to be 
able to make that motion to reconsider, it was, of course, necessary 
for me to cast my vote on the prevailing side. It was, indeed, my 
intention to return to the motion to reconsider the override vote, in 
the hope that continued public discussion and consideration might cause 
some of our colleagues to rethink their position and, in fact, vote to 
override the President's veto of the partial-birth abortion ban.

  But the 104th Congress has run out of time, and it has been clear 
that no constructive purpose would have been served by yet another 
vote. While I am sure some Senators are having some serious second 
thoughts about that vote, there has been no indication that there has 
been a sufficient number change to reverse that earlier vote on the 
override.
  I therefore ask unanimous consent to withdraw my motion to reconsider 
rollcall No. 301 and that the permanent Record of the 104th Congress 
note my intention to be included with the 57 other Senators who voted 
to override President Clinton's veto of the partial-birth abortion ban.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. Let me say just a few words about the partial-birth 
abortion issue.
  This is a matter that has touched the conscience of America. I note 
that, on both sides of the aisle, there are now several pro-choice 
Members who support the ban on partial-birth abortions.
  I will not soon forget the dramatic moment when Senator Coats read 
the letter from our Coloradan colleague, Senator Campbell, written from 
his hospital bed, telling us he would vote to override the veto, even 
though he supports abortion rights.
  This is clearly an issue that will not go away. Indeed, I anticipate 
early action on it in the 105th Congress. By which time, continuing 
public education about the partial-birth procedure will, I believe, 
change many congressional minds.
  Here is just on example. Most of the debate on both sides of this 
issue, has concentrated on the use of partial-birth abortion in late-
term pregnancies. That may, indeed, be the most shocking aspect.
  But interviews with abortion doctors by the Washington Post, the 
American Medical News, and the Bergen County, N.J., Record reveal that 
the great majority of partial-birth abortions--thousands every year--
are performed in the fifth and sixth months of pregnancy. And almost 
all of them are performed for entirely nonmedical reasons.
  When President Clinton vetoed the partial-birth abortion ban, he 
suggested an alternative. It turns out that his alternative would be, 
in practical terms, nothing more than the status quo.
  In the first place, it would not ban a single one of the thousands of 
partial-birth abortions performed in the second trimester of pregnancy.
  In the second place, its ``serious health'' loophole, as ``health'' 
has been interpreted by the courts, would render meaningless 
restrictions even in the last months of pregnancy.
  When the Senate returns to this issue in 1997, as indeed it must, I 
hope we will find sufficient unity to ban the partial-birth procedure 
at all stages of pregnancy.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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