[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRO-CHOICE CAUCUS

  (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, there are few things more universal to the 
health and lives of women than birth control. It is basic health care. 
It's essential to women's economic independence and professional 
fulfillment. In fact, with the swearing-in of our new colleague from 
Oregon, we now have 94 women in Congress. My guess is there would be 
about half that number without the benefit of contraceptives. That all 
began 40 or 50 years ago.
  So, when the Speaker said this morning that Congress must overturn 
the President's policy ``acting on behalf of the American people,'' I'm 
not really sure what he's talking about because the President's 
decision is on the right side of common sense, sound science, and 
public opinion. It enjoys support from a majority of Americans and a 
majority of Catholics.
  Let me add that many of my House colleagues who want to deny access 
to contraception are the same ones who want to cut programs that help 
women and families facing unwanted pregnancies.
  I applaud the President for standing up to reactionary forces and 
standing up for women's health care and women's freedom.

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