[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2017

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, days after hundreds of thousands of 
women marched in my hometown of Portland, Oregon and cities across the 
world, Congressional Republicans once again are seeking to limit 
women's access to safe reproductive health care. H.R. 7 is a sweeping 
ban on abortion coverage and another callous attempt to insert Congress 
into the most personal of conversations between a woman and her 
physician, and had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on final 
passage of H.R. 7 (Roll Call No. 65).
  This legislation comes on the same week we mark the 44th anniversary 
of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade and the same week 
Donald Trump reinstated the global gag rule, or `Mexico City policy,' 
which bans all foreign non-profits that receive U.S. aid from offering 
abortion-related services. H.R. 7 and the Mexico City policy are flawed 
and ineffective policies that will harm health and economic security of 
women around the world.
  I have repeatedly voted against attempts to limit a woman's right to 
a safe and legal abortion. Once again, these actions by Congressional 
Republicans and the Trump-Pence Administration make it clear that the 
GOP does not care about the rights and autonomy of women anywhere, not 
just in the United States.
  As we clearly saw this past weekend, Republicans have no mandate to 
take away women's basic rights. Women everywhere will continue to fight 
these harmful policies, and I will continue to be one of their 
strongest allies in this fight.
  Had I been present for the Motion on Ordering the Previous Question, 
Roll Call Vote No. 62 I would have voted ``no.''
  Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on H. Res. 55 (Roll 
Call Vote No. 63).
  Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the Democratic 
Motion to Recommit (Roll Call Vote No. 64).

                          ____________________