[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PRENATAL NONDISCRIMINATION ACT (PRENDA) OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 30, 2012

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and unable to 
be present for the vote on H.R. 3541, the Prenatal Non-Discrimination 
Act. Had I been present, I want to state for the record that my vote on 
this bill would have been a resounding no.
  This bill is nothing more than a further attack on women and women's 
health from a majority paty that claims to be focusing on job creation 
and economic growth. Yet, today they present us with the ninth 
opportunity in this Congress to restrict women's acess to reproductive 
health care.
  Passing this bill would mean someone would have to stand in the 
operating room and judge the motives of a woman seeking a 
Constitutionally protected medical procedure. A doctor could be sent to 
prison for five years if it can be shown that sex-selection was a 
factor in the decision to have an abortion. Of course, the doctor would 
have to either be a mind reader to know the reasons behind a woman's 
decision, or subject her to unreasonable scrutiny. If the doctor even 
suspects that sex-selection was involved, but does not report, she or 
he can be sent to prison for a year. The idea that threatening to 
incarcerate an obstetrician is somehow protecting women is ludicrous. 
It only serves to intimidate doctors and keep them from providing 
medically necessary and often life-saving services for their patients.
  Furthermore, this bill allows for an injunction preventing an 
abortion to be granted by a court if a woman's husband or her parents 
allege that sex-selection was a factor in the decision to have an 
abortion. A simple allegation from a third party can therefore prevent 
a woman from making a private and legal decision in consultation with 
her doctor. That is absolutely unacceptable.
  Sex-selective abortions are a legitimate concern. But this bill is a 
false solution to a very real problem. If the supporters of this bill 
truly wanted to end gender discrimination, they would be working on 
policies that address the root causes of inequality that plague women 
in America. They would be working to truly empower women to make 
decisions about their health and reproductive care. They would be 
working with us across the aisle to support federal programs that 
benefit women and their families, such as the Affordable Care Act, 
Medicaid, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Instead they are on 
record voting to defund domestic and international family planning 
programs, dismantle health care reform, and in favor of proposals like 
the Ryan Budget that slash support for the most vulnerable women and 
families in this country.
  I would welcome the opportunity to work with my colleagues across the 
aisle on actual solutions to the problems of gender discrimination and 
inequality in this country. The Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act simply 
does not address the real issues facing America.

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