[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CHILD INTERSTATE ABORTION NOTIFICATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to S. 
403.
  S. 403 makes it a Federal crime for anyone other than a young woman's 
parent to take her across State lines for an abortion unless the 
parental notification and involvement requirements of her home State 
have been met. In States without a current parental notification law, 
the Federal law applies. This legislation also requires a physician to 
notify, in person, the parents from another State about a medical 
procedure the doctor will be performing.
  I will continue to work to do more to reduce abortion, but this is 
the wrong approach. Criminalizing health care providers and clergy 
while further victimizing young women who are already facing major 
challenges will not reduce abortions, will not reduce teen pregnancy, 
and will certainly not help to protect young women in this country. It 
is unfortunate that this legislation does not contain a judicial bypass 
process for young women who cannot, through no fault of their own, 
discuss this issue with their parents, as in cases of abuse or incest. 
This bill even criminalizes a victim's support network, the 
grandparents, aunts and uncles, adult siblings, religious counselors, 
and other trusted adults whom a young woman might turn to for help in 
this time of crisis. It also requires doctors to know the notification 
laws in all 50 States or face criminal penalties. S. 403 undermines 
Minnesota's authority, forcing all States to comply with and enforce 
other States' laws.
  This legislation is opposed by a wide variety of individuals and 
organizations including physicians, public health experts, women's 
organizations, religious groups, and think tanks. Simply put, S. 403 
imposes significant barriers to young women's emotional and physical 
health. The reality is that marginalizing and isolating these 
vulnerable young women will not protect them in their time of need, but 
rather force them to seek risky and unsafe ways to terminate their 
pregnancy. Instead, we must do more to support families and to work to 
reduce unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive education, adoption 
assistance, and family planning.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 403 is a dangerous bill, harmful to those young women 
most in need of help. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this 
legislation, which poses a serious threat to young women's access to 
safe reproductive health choices.

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