Dianne Feinstein: “I rise to offer a substitute amendment to H.R. 1122, which, as I said, is cosponsored by Senators Boxer and…”

“I rise to offer a substitute amendment to H.R. 1122, which, as I said, is cosponsored by Senators Boxer and Moseley-Braun. The amendment we offer is presented as an alternative to the House-passed bill on so-called partial-birth abortions and as an alternative to the Daschle substitute as well. My colleagues and I offer this amendment for one reason: We very much believe that any legislation put forward by Congress that restricts access to abortions or to a particular medical procedure must be constitutional and must contain sufficient protections for a woman's health. The Feinstein-Boxer-Moseley-Braun bill provides that protection while instituting a ban on post-viability abortions similar to that in the Daschle bill. Our bill does three things. First, it prohibits all abortions after a fetus has become viable or able to live independently outside of the mother's womb. Second, it provides an exception for cases where, in the medical judgment of a physician, an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the mother or to prevent serious adverse health consequences to the mother. And third, it provides stringent civil penalties for physicians performing post-viability abortions in the absence of compelling medical reasons. The penalties are limited to the physician and include for the first offense a fine of $100,000, and referral to a State licensing board for possible suspension of the medical license.”