[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PRENATAL NONDISCRIMINATION ACT (PRENDA) OF 2012

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 30, 2012

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3541, the 
Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2012. This is a cynical bill under 
the guise of preventing sex selection which would undermine a woman's 
right to choose.
  Clearly, sex-selective abortions are offensive and unacceptable. But 
this bill will only interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. Are 
doctors supposed to interrogate women to determine their motivation for 
seeking an abortion? What other means must doctors take to ensure that 
they are not imprisoned as a result of this bill? These threats will 
only impede open, honest communication between women and their 
providers and undermine the doctor-patient relationship. Some providers 
will be discouraged from offering any reproductive tests and services 
and as a result, women's access to access safe, legal health care will 
be jeopardized.
  Mr. Speaker, if House Republicans truly wanted to protect women, then 
they would have allowed a vote on legislation to ensure the right of 
women to receive equal pay for equal work. Unfortunately they did not. 
It is for these reasons that I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 3541.

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