[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H3698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          20-WEEK ABORTION BAN

  (Ms. BONAMICI asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. BONAMICI. Today, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1797, legislation 
that would throw doctors in jail for providing constitutionally 
protected health care. Many of my colleagues talk about less 
government. Well, here's a place where I agree. This bill takes away 
the ability of women to make their own health care decisions and 
attempts to replace the informed judgment of doctors with the opinions 
of politicians.
  Often, there are unexpected complications. Danielle Deaver's amniotic 
fluid ruptured at 22 weeks, leaving the pregnancy without adequate 
fluid to continue to develop. Jennifer Peterson was pregnant when she 
was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Danielle, Jennifer, and 
women like them should be able to face these difficult situations by 
consulting with their doctors. They should not have to worry about 
whether they're violating an unconstitutional law.
  When abortion is made illegal, it does not go away; it becomes 
unsafe. Let's not play politics with women's health care. Let's focus 
on prevention and making sure that women have access to safe and legal 
abortions. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this unconstitutional 
bill.

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