Tom Lantos: “I deeply regret that once again the time of this House and its members will be spent dealing with the so-called…”

“I deeply regret that once again the time of this House and its members will be spent dealing with the so-called ``partial birth abortion'' issue. I would emphasize that the term ``partial birth abortion'' is not a medical term, but rather a political term which the sponsors of this legislation have created in order to shock people into supporting this legislation. I will not be able to cast my vote today when the roll call is taken on this pernicious piece of legislation, so I would like to take this opportunity to indicate my views on the underlying legislation (H.R. 760) and on the Greenwood/Hoyer/Johnson (of Connecticut) amendment that will be offered to this bill. I am not in support of the Congress substituting its judgment for that of a physician in a matter of medicine and health, but clearly this amendment is a substantial improvement over the original text of H.R. 760. I want to commend our colleagues--Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Hoyer, and Ms. Johnson of Connecticut--for offering this amendment. If I where able to be here for the vote on this amendment, I would cast my vote in favor.”