Barbara Boxer: “it is as if we are talking past each other. My friend made the case for me. He read the restriction which is that no…”

“it is as if we are talking past each other. My friend made the case for me. He read the restriction which is that no organization can attempt to alter the laws of their country. And so we are standing against people having their rights at self- determination. Can you imagine if we sent out a notice to our people, let's say on both sides of the gun debate, and said to both sides: You cannot discuss this matter with your representatives. We could not do that for 3 seconds. First, we would be run out of office on a rail. But we are willing to be an imperial power and tell others in other countries they cannot advocate on behalf of the people of their country. The last point I will make is my friend keeps repeating the phrase ``U.S. taxpayer funds.'' He is confusing the debate. There was an outright ban written in 1973 by Jesse Helms which has been upheld in the Congress ever since that not a dime of U.S. taxpayer money could be used in any way, shape, or form to provide abortion. And there is another law that says you cannot use U.S. taxpayer funds to lobby. So those things are already set. What we are talking about is an additional law put into place by the Bush administration after it was off the books for 8 years which says forget about U.S.…”