[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 36 (Monday, February 28, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. KING. Madam President, I voted to proceed to the consideration of 
the Women's Health Protection Act today with some reluctance, not 
because of any doubts about the substance of the bill--I have been a 
strong supporter of reproductive choice throughout my public life--but 
because of concern about and disagreement with some of the provisions 
of its introductory ``Findings'' section.
  Several of these provisions assert that opposition to reproductive 
services, including abortion, is rooted in racism and misogyny. I don't 
believe that this is true, and I do believe that it is unfair and 
insulting to the millions of Americans whose opposition to abortion is 
rooted in their faith and deeply held moral principles. While I 
disagree with their conclusion--that it is appropriate for the 
government to impose these beliefs on others who do not share them and 
thereby intrude into the personal medical choices of all women--I don't 
question their motives and strongly disagree with the language of the 
bill that does so.
  My vote today was not a vote on the final passage of the bill, but 
only to bring it to the Senate floor for debate and amendment. Had the 
motion succeeded, I, along with many of my colleagues, would have voted 
to remove this inflammatory and unnecessary language from the bill.
  Fundamentally, this issue is about who should have the power to make 
this most personal and difficult choice, the government or individual 
women in consultation with their doctors. While respecting the motives 
of those who disagree, I think that power should rest with the woman.

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