[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 113 (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Unanimous Consent Request--S. 1297

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I am here today with a very simple bill 
to protect doctors who are providing legal care against attacks from 
extreme out-of-state, out-of-touch politicians.
  In my State, abortion is not only legal but protected by our State 
constitution. But when I talk to abortion providers in Spokane, where 
they see a lot of patients fleeing restrictive abortion bans from 
States like Idaho, they are terrified that they could face a lawsuit 
that will threaten their practice and their livelihood, just for doing 
their jobs, just for providing care their patients need--care that is, 
once again, completely legal in my State. We are talking about people 
who are following the law and simply want to provide care to their 
patients. This should be cut-and-dried.
  So, Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding 
rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be 
discharged from further consideration of S. 1297, the Let Doctors 
Provide Reproductive Health Care Act, and the Senate proceed to its 
immediate consideration; and, further, that the bill be considered read 
a third time and passed; and the motion to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I object to S. 1297 for a simple reason: It 
would make it easier for unborn life to be ended.
  The Supreme Court's Dobbs decision brought renewed hope to Americans 
who believe in the sanctity of each and every life, including life in 
the womb. After 49 years, a new culture of life is enriching our 
country from coast to coast.
  But this bill would take us backward. This bill would, first of all, 
allow abortion on demand in pro-life States, so long as the patient is 
from another State. And that is crazy.
  Second, this bill would expose doctors and nurses who work in 
religious organizations, clinics, and hospitals. It would expose them 
to costly lawsuits if they stand by their deeply held beliefs. That 
also is crazy.
  And, finally, this bill would violate the spirit of bipartisan Hyde 
protections by providing millions of taxpayer dollars to the abortion 
industry. That also is crazy.
  I was elected to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 
for all, including for life for the unborn. But this bill puts more 
unborn lives in danger. Therefore, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.
  The Senator from Washington.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, let's be clear. Republicans who are now 
in the middle of trying to rewrite history and claim they only want 
State politicians overruling women--already an extreme position, by the 
way--just made clear that actually, on second thought, they have no 
problem whatsoever with politicians targeting doctors in States like 
mine, where abortion is legal. I think that pretty much gives the game 
away.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.