[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 89 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E942-E943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2013

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1797. 
This bill, which would implement a nationwide ban on abortions after 20 
weeks, is in direct violation of Roe v. Wade. H.R. 1797 is the latest 
attempt by House Republicans to undermine a woman's fundamental right 
to choose.
  H.R. 1797 does not provide an exception to protect a woman's health. 
This dangerous omission would deny a woman the right to an abortion 
even when her doctor determines it would be necessary to protect her 
health. This infringement into the relationship between a woman and her 
doctor is the reason this legislation is opposed by the American 
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical 
Women's Association.
  Additionally, H.R. 1797 contains a wholly inadequate exception for 
rape and incest. The threshold that the crime must have been reported 
to the authorities is arbitrary and cynical considering that it is 
estimated over half of the rapes in the United States go unreported.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose this attack on a woman's 
Constitutional right to choose.

[[Page E943]]



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