[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9380-S9381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1375

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise today because there are far too 
many women in America suffering in silence from postpartum depression 
and it is time to let them know that they are not alone. It is time to 
lift the veil of shame and secrecy--this condition is not their fault 
and they can get help.
  The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act would establish the first 
comprehensive legislation to assist new mothers suffering from 
postpartum depression and educate women about this disabling condition 
that affects 800,000 women each year.
  It would help provide support services to women suffering from 
postpartum depression and psychosis and would also help educate mothers 
and their families about these conditions.
  In addition, it would support research into the causes, diagnoses and 
treatments for postpartum depression and psychosis.
  It attacks postpartum depression on all fronts with education, 
support, and research so that new moms can feel supported and safe 
rather than scared and alone.
  We know--doctors and psychologists know--that there are all too many 
mothers in need who are suffering in silence. All too many mothers are 
unaware of the condition and go without the treatment and support they 
so desperately need.
  I introduced this bill because I was inspired by the story of Mrs. 
Mary Jo Codey--the former first lady of New Jersey--who publically 
shared her struggle with postpartum depression. It was her courage and 
strength that helped change New Jersey law--and now, hopefully, will 
help change our Nation's laws.
  But postpartum depression affects women all over this country, not 
just in my home State, and that is why I was proud to introduce this 
legislation with Senator Durbin and work with the support of Senator 
Kennedy. I saw the companion legislation of Representative Rush sail 
through the House--passing 382-3--and we were all set to pass this bill 
when one singular Senator signaled his objection, essentially blocked 
the bill, and the whole process ground to a halt.
  One Senator's objections and American women are left without relief 
and support from a disabling and often undiagnosed condition affecting 
as many as one in five new mothers experiencing symptoms.
  One Senator's objections, and American women are left without this 
strong program to make sure they no longer have to suffer in silence 
and feel alone when faced with this difficult condition.
  One Senator's objections, and American women are left with few places 
to turn when they show signs of depression, lose interest in friends 
and family, feel overwhelming sadness or even have thoughts of harming 
the baby or themselves.
  Many new mothers sacrifice anything and everything to provide 
feelings of security and safety to their newborn child. It is our duty 
to provide the same level of security, safety and support to new 
mothers in need.
  We were on our way to taking those steps when a single Senator 
stepped in and blocked it from happening.
  For the millions of American women who have suffered or soon will 
suffer from postpartum depression we need to pass this bill today.

[[Page S9381]]

  I ask unanimous consent that the HELP Committee be discharged of S. 
1375 and that the Senate immediately proceed to S. 1375; that all after 
the enacting clause be stricken and that an amendment at the desk 
consisting of the text of subtitle (d) of title I of S. 3297 be 
inserted in lieu thereof; that the amendment be considered and agreed 
to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time, passed, and the motions 
to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I object.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I assume my distinguished colleague from 
Idaho is objecting on behalf of Senator Coburn, and I understand if 
that is the case.
  I have a problem in that we have a process that has festered where 
one person suddenly believes that they are the guardian of what is good 
and what is not. I always get concerned when suddenly one person in an 
institution believes they can use the powers that are reserved largely 
for the purposes of ensuring that something they feel so passionate 
about or so strongly about and to protect the powers of the minority 
can be preserved, but then it get abused and hundreds of pieces of 
legislation get stopped by one Senator.
  Now, I intend to continue to push this because I want mothers 
throughout this country to understand who is blocking their way from 
having the type of access and help that is necessary to be able to 
ensure that, in fact, they do not have to go through these depressions 
alone.
  We have many stories across the landscape of the country of mothers 
who did not know they were having post partum depression, and the 
consequences were that they thought about hurting their children and 
hurting themselves. We can do far better.
  When the House of Representatives passed this very same bill, and we 
changed it to accommodate our colleagues on the Republican side of the 
aisle in the HELP Committee, but passed it 382 to 3--382 to 3--the 
reality is, something is wrong when one Senator believes he or she can 
stop the progress on behalf of millions of women in this country.
  I am going to come to the floor of the Senate time and time again. I 
want American women to know who is the impediment to the opportunity 
for them to get the help they need. I want mothers to know who is the 
impediment to get the help they need. I want families to know who is 
the impediment to get the help they need. I want husbands to know who 
is the impediment to have their spouses get the help they need, and 
that is one Senator--one Senator.

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