    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [October 10, 1997]
    [Pages 1340-1341]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the House of Representatives Returning Without Approval
    Partial Birth Abortion Legislation
    October 10, 1997

    To the House of Representatives:
        I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 1122, which would
    prohibit doctors from performing a certain kind of abortion. I am
    returning H.R. 1122 for exactly the same reasons I returned an earlier
    substantially identical version of this bill, H.R. 1833, last year. My
    veto message of April 10, 1996, fully explains my reasons for returning
    that bill and applies to H.R. 1122 as well. H.R. 1122 is a bill that is
    consistent neither with the Constitution nor sound public policy.
        As I have stated on many occasions, I support the decision in Roe v.
    Wade protecting a woman's right to choose. Consistent with that
    decision, I have long opposed late-term abortions, and I continue to do
    so except in those instances necessary to save the life of a woman or
    prevent serious harm to her health. Unfortunately, H.R. 1122 does not
    contain an exception to the measure's ban that will adequately protect
    the lives and health of the small group of women in tragic circumstances
    who need an abortion performed at a late stage of pregnancy to avert
    death or serious injury.
        I have asked the Congress repeatedly, for almost 2 years, to send me
    legislation that includes a limited exception for the small number of
    compelling cases where use of this procedure is necessary to avoid
    serious health consequences. When Governor of Arkansas, I signed a bill
    into law that barred third-trimester abortions, with an appropriate
    exception for life or health. I would do so again, but only if the bill
    contains an exception for the rare cases where a woman faces death or
    serious injury.

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    I believe the Congress should work in a bipartisan manner to fashion
    such legislation.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    October 10, 1997.

    Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also made available the
    President's earlier veto message, dated April 10, 1996, which was
    published in Public Papers of the Presidents: William J. Clinton, 1996
    Book I (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997), p. 567.