On the recordJanuary 24, 2017
I stand with women and men across our country in opposition to H.R. 7, the latest effort from Republican leaders to take the opportunity for women to make choices about their own healthcare decisions. This weekend, my colleagues and I marched arm in arm with our constituents in women's marches across the country. I heard these Americans, and if you were listening, you would have heard them say, ``my body, my choice''; ``her body, her choice.'' This bill ignores the voices of women and male feminists in the United States. Particularly disturbing, H.R. 7 prevents small businesses that use ACA tax credits from using them to pay for comprehensive health coverage for their employees that includes abortion services. Passage of this bill means the government, whom my colleagues claim is too big, will dramatically expand its role in a woman's healthcare decision. As we have seen time and time again, restrictions like these disproportionately affect low-income women, younger women, and women of color. All women deserve the ability to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference. It is her body. It is her choice. I urge my colleagues to recognize the intrusive, unfair, and unequal consequences of H.R. 7. Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan), another one of our new, wonderful Members.
