[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2465-S2466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Recognition of the Majority Leader

  The majority leader is recognized.


                 Women's Health Protection Act of 2022

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, yesterday, the American people saw for 
themselves the glaring contrast between Democrats, who will fight to 
protect women's rights to make decisions about their own bodies, and 
MAGA Republicans pushing to send mothers and doctors to jail and 
institute nationwide abortion bans.
  With Roe on the brink of elimination, this issue will not go away. As 
Americans vote later this year, they will choose between radical MAGA 
Republicans, who want to get rid of Roe, push national bans on 
abortion, and even throw doctors and women in jail, or pro-choice 
Democrats, who will protect a woman's right to make her own decisions 
when it comes to her body.
  Let me say that again.
  The contrast facing the American people is now simple: Either elect 
more MAGA Republicans, who want to push for sweeping national bans on 
abortion, or support pro-choice Democrats, who will protect a woman's 
rights to make her own decisions about her body.
  Either elect more MAGA Republicans, who want forced pregnancies and 
who champion bans without exceptions even for rape or incest, or 
support pro-choice Democrats, who will protect a woman's right to make 
her own decisions.
  Either elect more MAGA Republicans, who want to prosecute and even 
imprison women and doctors for carrying out abortions--and mere friends 
who give rides to clinics--or support pro-choice Democrats, who will 
protect a woman's rights.
  Americans are going to see that contrast again and again and again as 
Democrats keep highlighting this very important and vital issue.
  And as much as Republicans will try to deflect, distort, or distract, 
the unbendable truth is that their anti-women views are wildly out of 
step with the American people. Just look at what is happening across 
the country. Democrats across the country are confidently highlighting 
their support for a woman's right to make her own choices; and while 
the MAGA Republicans may want to brag about their plans for a 
nationwide abortion ban and sending women and doctors to jail, the 
clear majority of Americans disagrees with that extremist position. 
That is why Republican campaign committees are urging their candidates 
to avoid the subject of abortion--because they know their views are out 
of step.

[[Page S2466]]

  Again, Democrats across the country are now talking about this issue, 
even doing campaign ads about this issue. The Republican spinmeisters 
are telling their colleagues to avoid the issue. So it is obvious to 
everyone who is on what side.
  Republicans can run but can't hide from the horror they have created. 
Yesterday's vote was only one step, not the end, of our fight to 
protect women's rights. This issue will keep coming back up again and 
again and again between now and when voters go to the polls later this 
year.