[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 29, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING CONGRESS TO PASS THE PRESIDENT'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, AND 
 LEGISLATION HOLDING CRIMINALS RESPONSIBLE FOR HARMING UNBORN CHILDREN

  (Ms. HART asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, last night the President of the United States 
challenged this Congress to tackle many problems facing our country, 
such as health care reform and economic growth. The President also 
urged Congress to pass legislation banning partial birth abortions and 
human cloning. All of these are extremely important goals.
  In addition, Mr. Speaker, I am confident that we will again pass a 
bill that will hold criminals responsible for harming unborn children. 
Last session we did pass such legislation, but under current Federal 
law an individual could attack a pregnant woman, injuring that woman 
and killing the child. While the assailant could be tried for the 
assault against the mother, no legal action is available under Federal 
law to address the murder of the child.
  This is not the case in many States in this Nation. In fact, 24 
States, including my home State of Pennsylvania, have passed unborn 
victims' laws.

                              {time}  1345

  These are effective laws that have been upheld by the courts on a 
number of occasions when they have been challenged. In fact, all legal 
challenges to such unborn victims laws have failed. And a number of 
Federal courts have turned away challenges to State unborn victims 
laws.
  An expectant mother who loses a child as a result of an attack by a 
violent criminal before she gets to hold her child deserves recourse. 
Well, this recourse would never be a substitute for her terrible loss. 
I do not think it is too much to ask to have a similar unborn victims 
laws on the books. Last year we passed this act. I am confident we will 
pass this bill again.

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