[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE PROPOSED FLORIDA STATE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT 
                                   4

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Dunn) for 30 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DUNN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special 
Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to 
the proposed Florida State Constitution amendment No. 4.
  Amendment 4 is a dangerous and ill-advised amendment that will make 
women and newborns less safe. Amendment 4 will overturn multiple State 
laws and regulations meant to protect the health and safety of women 
and children.
  As a medical doctor, I know how dangerous abortion procedures can be. 
The Florida State legislature has wisely placed safeguards that protect 
the health and safety of women and babies in our State.
  These include a requirement for a physician to perform the procedure, 
sanitation standards, and follow-up care requirements. None of these 
safeguards are included in amendment 4.
  Additionally, the vague viability standard outlined in amendment 4 
invites litigation and controversy, and I am personally opposed to it.
  I have witnessed firsthand as medicine has evolved to allow babies 
born earlier and earlier in pregnancy to survive. If amendment 4 
passes, babies who can survive outside the womb will be left 
unprotected.
  In fact, I, myself, have performed a number of in utero surgeries on 
unborn babies as young as 18 weeks. These fragile lives are worth 
saving and modern medicine has made it possible.
  I am unapologetically pro-life, and amendment 4 is a step in the 
wrong direction. This dangerous amendment will jeopardize the health 
and safety of women and babies across the State and lead to unsafe and 
even full-term abortions.
  I will be voting ``no'' on amendment 4, and I urge all Floridians to 
oppose it. I also urge all Americans across the country to oppose 
similar ballot measures in their State.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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