Jackie Speier: “At the outset, let me say the following: As a member of the Democratic Caucus, there have been times in the past when I…”

“At the outset, let me say the following: As a member of the Democratic Caucus, there have been times in the past when I have supported Republican motions to recommit. I have done it a number of times, I confess. I am speaking to my Republican colleagues this afternoon, seeking to ask you to do the same, because this particular motion is very simple, very clear. It will not prevent the passage of the underlying bill. If it is adopted, it will be incorporated in the bill, and the bill will be immediately voted upon. So what does it do? It is about what every one of us cares about, and that is privacy. Americans believe in privacy. Justice Brandeis once said in a court opinion, ``Every American has the right to be left alone.'' This is something we can all agree on. My motion would simply prohibit Federal agents from accessing a woman's health or other medical records because she was a victim of rape or incest. Now, that's pretty simple. If you're a victim of rape or incest, no Federal agency or agent will be able to access your medical records in order to prove that you, in fact, were raped or were a victim of incest. Both the Hyde Amendment and this legislation specifically create exceptions for victims of these crimes. The underlying bill would create an exception to the exception. It actually revictimizes the victims of rape and incest by requiring them to relive their horror. Rape kits could be examined. Confidential medical records could be breached.…”