[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E817-E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CHILD INTERSTATE ABORTION NOTIFICATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House passed the Child 
Interstate Abortion Notification Act with overwhelming majority 
support, ensuring a parent's right to involvement in important 
decisions concerning their children and strengthening American 
families' bonds.
  This bill makes it a crime to transport a minor across state lines to 
avoid required parental consent for an abortion in their home state. It 
also compels abortion providers in a state without safety laws to 
notify a parent before performing the surgery.
  Today states require written parental consent before a minor can get 
a tattoo or a body piercing, yet persons other than an adolescent's 
parents can facilitate aborting a life by simply driving them across 
state lines. Parents must play a primary role in the healthcare of 
their minor daughters. These are our children

[[Page E818]]

and we are responsible to them and our communities to be involved in 
these critical choices, teaching them responsibility and good decision 
making.
  The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act upholds the safety 
laws of individual states and protects parents' rights to be involved 
in decisions regarding their children. I thank my colleagues who voted 
for this legislation and urge the Senate to quickly pass this 
legislation to ensure the safety of our children.

                          ____________________