[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3803, the 
District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Although 
nine other states have passed similar abortion bans, this is the first 
attempt to pass a law of this kind on a federal level. However, even 
the nine state laws include at least a narrow exception to protect 
women's health. This bill unfairly singles out the District of 
Columbia, but more importantly it lacks any health exceptions to the 
ban. Pregnancy can become dangerous, sometimes even life-threatening. 
This bill fails to provide women with necessary health exceptions to 
save their lives or their ability to have children in the future.
  In addition to not protecting women who are pregnant, H.R. 3803 fails 
to provide exceptions in instances of rape or incest, even when it 
involves young girls. About 25,000 women become pregnant due to rape 
each year and about 30 percent of rape cases involve women under 18. 
This bill falls short in providing the necessary protections for these 
women.
  I would have voted against H.R. 3803. Unfortunately my plane was 
delayed due to weather coming in to Washington, DC, causing me to miss 
the vote. I have been a strong supporter for women's health in the past 
and I plan to continue to do so.

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