Barbara Boxer: “I also thank the many women who experienced this procedure, who were able to come to Washington on many occasions to…”

“I also thank the many women who experienced this procedure, who were able to come to Washington on many occasions to tell us what their world was like when they found out late in the pregnancy that something had gone horribly wrong and the doctor told them that their baby could never live outside of their womb and the doctor told them if they did not have the procedure that is being banned in this bill, they could suffer a stroke, they could suffer paralysis, they could lose their fertility. These women came out and put a face on this issue, a real, human face; many of them very religious, many anti-choice, who said this was an excruciatingly difficult choice, but they knew it was right for themselves and their baby. What we are about to do today--and I have no illusions; I know this bill will pass--we are about to ban a procedure that doctors say is needed to save the life and health of a woman.”