[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HEALTH CARE REFORM
(Mr. CAO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. CAO. Madam Speaker, the basic tenets of a democracy are those
that protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Accessible,
affordable health care that protects life is one of those tenets. This
is why I applaud President Obama for his strength and determination in
pushing for health care reform in the face of great adversity.
I support H.R. 3962, the Health Care Reform Bill, that passed the
U.S. House on November 7, 2009, because it tries to provide affordable
health care while protecting life. And I stand ready to support health
care reform again so long as the reconciliation bill seeks the same
goals.
As of now, the Senate health care bill falls short and even
contradicts the most basic principle of civilization: Thou shalt not
kill. The Senate bill willfully excludes the language of the Hyde
Amendment and seeks to expand funding and the role of the Federal
Government in the despicable killing of the unborn. It also fails to
incorporate provisions to protect the conscience of medical providers
regarding abortion, as found in the Hyde-Weldon Amendment. These flaws
are so devastating in their effects that they override any good the
Senate health care bill seeks to promote.
Until this House fixes the abortion language and incorporates a
conscience protection clause, I stand firmly in opposition.
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