[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S6860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader is recognized.
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                             WOMEN'S HEALTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, it is said you cannot make the same mistake 
twice because the second time it is a choice, it is not a mistake. I 
repeat: It is said you cannot make the same mistake twice because the 
second time you make it, it is a choice. On every issue, Republicans 
are choosing to employ the same failed strategy they have tried time 
and time again. They are making choices. Over and over again, they drag 
Congress and the American people through votes that are nothing more 
than publicity stunts, solely designed to boost their conservative 
records.
  Today we stand in the midst of yet another show vote designed to 
honor the political wish lists of extremists. Once again, Republicans 
have decided to place a woman's health at the center of their 
ideological campaign. We have seen this tactic before. It does not 
work.
  Americans are tired of the Republican attacks on the health of women. 
Earlier this year, Republicans manipulated a bill. The bill was to help 
victims of human trafficking. They turned it into a political football 
by attaching ideological abortion riders. They have tried to repeatedly 
cut off funds for Planned Parenthood, a critical safety net provider 
for women.
  Now today, in the face of a government shutdown, they decide to waste 
the Senate's time on a 20-week abortion ban. Every Senator in this body 
knows this bill is going nowhere. This attack is a waste of time. The 
bill on its merits is no good. It will accomplish nothing. By holding 
today's vote, the Republican leader is pandering to the rightwing 
extremists in his party who are willing to take our government hostage, 
trying to score nothing more than political points.
  The time for partisan politics is over. The Senate, our government, 
cannot afford to be subjected to meaningless attacks on the health of 
women. We will be in session for only 2 more days this week. The House 
will not convene today or tomorrow. On October 1 the government will 
run out of money. With or without the stamp of approval Republicans are 
so desperately seeking, on October 1 the government will be out of 
money.
  Republicans should end their partisan attack on women and join 
Democrats in carrying out one of our primary responsibilities as 
elected officials, as Members of Congress, and that is to keep the 
government doors open. Actions speak louder than words. These partisan 
attacks on the health of women, led by Republicans and the leader 
specifically today, will not only push Congress to the brink of another 
government shutdown--we are there. It would show once again that 
Republicans would rather attack women's health than keep their 
obligation to the American people.
  On Thursday we are going to be in a very difficult time squeeze. We 
are going to have another vote, abortion related, on Planned 
Parenthood, and then we are going to have to try to figure out a way to 
fund the government. This responsibility is on the Republicans. They 
control the House and the Senate. It is not our responsibility. We will 
help in any way we can. We have not held up anything procedurally. We 
do not intend to do that. We want to move forward and get the 
government funded. But we are at a crossroads here. I am not sure we 
can make it with the time set because of all of these unnecessary votes 
that have been scheduled by the Republican leader these last couple of 
weeks. I hope we can make it and not have to see the government shut 
down again. But, you know, we have seen that before. The American 
people have been to that rodeo before. Who has suffered? The American 
people.
  I would hope the Republican leader has a plan to help us get out of 
this morass they have created. We will do everything we can within 
reason to make sure the American people are treated fairly in the 
upcoming spending bills, but we have to get there by October 1.
  Will the Chair announce the business of the day.

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