[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S107-S108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENSIGN (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Brownback, Mr. 
        Bunning, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Cornyn, Mrs. Dole, Mr. 
        Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hagel, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, 
        Mr. Kyl, Mr. McCain, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Sessions, 
        Mr. Shelby, Mr. Thune, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Hatch, and Mr. Nelson 
        of Nebraska):
  S. 2543. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit 
taking minors across State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the 
involvement of parents in abortion decisions; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.
 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today in Washington, DC, thousands 
of people of all ages are taking part in the annual March for Life and 
staking a claim for the rights of the unborn. I commend them and am in 
awe of their great dedication to the cause of protecting life. I share 
their strong pro-life beliefs, and I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor of the Child Custody Protection Act that is being introduced 
today.
  This is one of the most important pieces of legislation to be 
introduced during this Congress, and for good reason. While more than 
20 States require a minor to receive parental consent prior to 
obtaining an abortion, these laws are being violated. Today, minors, 
with the assistance of adults--who are not their parents--are being 
transported across State lines to receive abortions without obtaining 
parental consent. We need to end this circumvention of State laws and, 
far more importantly, the consequences such actions have on life.

[[Page S108]]

  This legislation would make it a Federal offense to knowingly 
transport a minor across a State line for the purpose of an abortion, 
in circumvention of a State's parental consent or notification laws, 
unless it is needed to save the life of the minor. We have attempted to 
enact similar legislation in previous Congresses without success, and 
it is critical that we do not allow opponents to further stall its 
enactment.
  I am and always have been pro-life, and my record during my tenure in 
Congress reflects my strong belief that life is sacred. We must stand 
up for the rights of the unborn and do all that we can to enact this 
important legislation.
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