[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 42 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION BAN ACT OF 2000

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                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2000

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, I will vote against HR 3660. For 
the third time in five years, the House of Representatives is 
considering a bill to ban so-called ``partial birth'' abortions. For 
the third time since I came to Congress we will be voting on a bill 
that is almost certainly unconstitutional and will be vetoed by the 
President.
  The advocates of the bill suggest that this version has been changed 
to address some of the constitutional concerns. This bill does 
recognize that the lives of mothers have a claim to protection, but it 
remains silent when there is a threat to a woman's health.
  During the previous consideration of this type of legislation, 
Congress and the President heard from many women for whom this type of 
legislation would have dire consequences. These women and their 
families were all confronted with tragic situations and, with the 
qualified medical direction of their doctors, made the incredibly 
personal and difficult decision to terminate their pregnancy. Congress 
has no place in that decision. This legislation would have a 
catastrophic effect on the lives of families like these.
  HR 3660 is more about politics than good policy. If the Congress were 
serious about preventing abortion, it would not be fighting efforts to 
make family planning more widely available. If it were serious about 
protecting children, it would do much more to ensure available child 
care and quality schools.
  Proponents of this bill show gruesome pictures of objectionable 
procedures and ignore the pictures of the many real families who have 
had to make difficult decisions in the face of tragic circumstances. We 
cannot continue to ignore those pictures and the wrenching reality they 
represent.
  My position on this most sensitive of personal decisions is very 
simple: Congress should not interfere. I will oppose this legislation.

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