[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E151-E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION AND JUDICIAL LIMITATION ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2000

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Partial birth Abortion 
and Judicial Limitation Act. This bill would, in accordance with 
article 3, section 2 of our United States Constitution, prohibit 
federal courts (exclusive of the U.S. Supreme Court) from hearing cases 
relative to partial birth abortion.
  One of the most egregious portions of the Roe versus Wade decision is 
that the ruling in that case served to substitute the opinions of

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unelected judges for those of state representatives when it comes to 
making abortion law. By doing this, judges have not merely taken on the 
role of legislators, they have also thrust the federal apparatus into 
an area that the founding fathers specifically and exclusively 
entrusted to state entities. Unfortunately, this aspect of Roe versus 
Wade has not received the attention that less critical portions of the 
decision have received.
  The legislation I am introducing today is aimed at moving us toward 
correcting this federal judicial usurpation of constitutionally 
identified state authority. This legislation is needed now more than 
ever as certain ``lower federal courts'' have taken it upon themselves 
to continue the error-ridden ways of Roe versus Wade by overturning 
legitimate state restrictions on partial birth abortion.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to review this new legislation 
and to join me in this battle by cosponsoring this pro-life 
legislation.

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