[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2159-E2160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4818, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I support the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus 
Appropriations Act, but I would like to state my opposition to the 
Weldon refusal clause provision.
  The Weldon provision would exempt health care companies from any 
federal, state or local government law that ensures women have access 
to reproductive health services, including information about abortion.
  If passed, this provision would have many negative effects.
  It would override federal Title X guidelines that ensure women 
receive full medical information. A fundamental principle of Title X, 
the national family planning program, ensures pregnant women who 
request information about all their medical options, including 
abortion, be given that information, including a referral upon patient 
request.
  I am also concerned this bill does not include an increase in funding 
for Title X. Each year approximately 4.5 million low-income women and 
men receive basic health care through 4,600 clinics nationwide that 
receive Title X funds. This program reduces unintended pregnancies and 
makes abortion less

[[Page E2160]]

necessary. Had funding for Title X kept pace with inflation since 1980, 
with no additional increases, it would be funded today at double its 
current budget.
  While Title X is receiving flat funding from last year, H.R. 4818 
gives abstinence-only programs an increase of $35 million. Unlike Title 
X, abstinence-only programs do not provide clinical health services.
  Additionally, research shows comprehensive sex-education programs, 
which teach both abstinence and contraception, are the most effective. 
There is no federal program that earmarks dollars for comprehensive sex 
education.
  I support a woman's right to choose whether to terminate a pregnancy 
subject to Roe v. Wade.
  Abortion is a very personal decision. While a woman's doctor, clergy, 
friends, family, and public officials may have an opinion, the ultimate 
decision rests solely with her. It is vital for every woman to have 
access to as much information as she needs in order to make this 
decision.
  While I support the bill, I oppose these provisions and amendments.

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