Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the free access to clinic entrances conference report, which I had the privilege of signing. When we passed this bill, we had a very strong bipartisan vote against the escalating violence which has come to surround some of our health clinics. I understand there are some differences. I have reviewed those differences, and I still am in favor of the conference report and the bill as it appears before us. I hope that we will reaffirm that commitment against violence today. Like the majority of Americans, I am pro-choice. Thus, I oppose unreasonable restrictions on the exercise of reproductive choice. Clinics in my home State of Vermont have been invaded, blockaded and shut down for hours at a time by protesters. In one instance, patients who had been able, with the attending physician, to enter the health clinic through a window, were blocked in and unable to exit until nightfall. In the words of one of my constituents, these incidents are 'terrifying, threatening, very scary.' I support the provisions of this bill to try to restore safety to our doctors and their patients. Doctors should not live in fear, with bulletproof vests and unlisted telephone numbers. Patients should be able to visit the health clinic of their choice without fear of threats, violence or intimidation. It is my hope that the free access to clinic entrances bill will help stem the tide of violence which has been sweeping across the Nation.”