[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ASSISTED SUICIDE FUNDING RESTRICTION ACT OF 1997

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                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 1003, 
the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997. This important 
piece of legislation prohibits the use of Federal funds to support, 
advocate, and/or facilitate assisted suicide, even if assisted suicide 
becomes legal in one or more States.
  Programs covered by the bill include Public Health Service block 
grants, Medicaid, Medicare, Indian health care, the Military Health 
Care Program, the Veterans Medical Care Program, and the Federal 
Employee Health Benefits Program. While Federal funds have not been 
used to pay for assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing, H.R. 
1003 legislatively prohibits such from taking place.
  Adoption of this measure is an important move in the assisted-suicide 
debate. As we consider this legislation, courts in Florida and Oregon 
are deliberating on the legality of assisted suicide. And, the Supreme 
Court is reviewing decisions, by the Second and Ninth Circuit Courts of 
Appeals, which have declared assisted suicide a new constitutional 
right. The Supreme Court's pending decision on these cases has major 
implications for most States across this Nation and many are looking to 
Congress for clear and effective policy directions.
  Until now, Mr. Speaker, Federal programs have generally lacked a 
written policy on this issue. By passing H.R. 1003, we preclude 
potential problems that may arise from the decisions pending, in the 
Supreme Court and other courts across this country, on assisted 
suicide. However, H.R. 1003 does not prevent States from legalizing 
assisted suicide or from supporting it with State funds.
  This measure states clearly that it will have no effect on issues of 
abortion, withdrawal of medical treatment, or the use of drugs needed 
to alleviate pain, even when an unintentional side effect could be a 
shortened life.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of prohibiting the 
use of Federal funds for assisted suicide. Vote ``yes'' for H.R. 1003.

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