Barbara Boxer: “I am strongly opposed to a provision included in this omnibus bill that has never been debated or considered by the…”

“I am strongly opposed to a provision included in this omnibus bill that has never been debated or considered by the Senate. It denies millions of women basic information about their constitutional rights and endangers women who are in desperate situations in pregnancies caused by rape or incest or pregnancies that threaten their health or their life. Again, this provision has never been considered or debated by the Senate, yet it is included in this appropriations bill. Given the rules of the Senate, there is no way I can strike this provision of the bill at this point. I could delay the passage of the bill, but I cannot strike this outrageous provision. When the Senate returns to session in January, I will be introducing legislation to repeal this so-called Weldon provision. I feel strongly the Senate must debate, consider, and vote on this issue. It is too important to millions of American women to be slipped into an Omnibus appropriations bill. Therefore, I ask the majority and soon-to-be minority leaders to commit to bring before the Senate by April 30, 2005, my bill to repeal the so-called Weldon amendment, with a minimum of 4 hours of debate and an up-or-down vote on my bill without amendment.”