[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE 
                              ACT OF 2014

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2014

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 7, the 
deceivingly titled ``No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.'' Let's be 
clear, federal policy--including the Affordable Care Act--already 
prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, except in the 
cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.
  The bill on the floor today would dramatically restrict the freedom 
of women to use their own money to purchase health insurance that 
covers reproductive health services including abortion. Under the bill, 
women and families would be denied access to tax credits to purchase 
any health plan in the health insurance Marketplaces that includes 
abortion services even if they use their own money to pay for coverage 
for those services. Additionally, the bill would deny small business 
owners tax credits if they offer coverage that includes abortion to 
their employees even though large employers can still offer such tax 
exempt coverage. Under this bill, millions of American women would be 
denied access to comprehensive reproductive health care--whether they 
purchase insurance in the Marketplaces or receive it through their 
employers.
  Madam Speaker, a woman's right to choose her own health care is 
fundamental and today's bill is a direct attack on that right. This 
bill was a mistake the first time it was proposed, and it remains a 
mistake today. I urge my colleagues to reject this assault on women and 
instead I urge House Republicans to focus on extending unemployment 
insurance for millions of Americans who are out of work through no 
fault of their own.

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