Lynn C. Woolsey: “there is no mistake about this, the loss of a pregnancy through violence to a woman is a major, major tragedy for the…”

“there is no mistake about this, the loss of a pregnancy through violence to a woman is a major, major tragedy for the woman and her family. It is absolutely necessary that we punish any violent crime committed against a pregnant woman who miscarries due to a crime against her. But, Mr. Chairman, we have to hear the words from the other side of the aisle. This bill is not about punishing criminals, it is about taking reproductive rights away from women. It is about abortion. The Lofgren substitute, however, recognizes that when harm comes to a pregnancy, it happens to the pregnant woman; and, yes, the violator must be punished. The underlying bill, however, is a sneak attack on Roe v. Wade and would threaten a woman's reproductive rights. Support for the Lofgren-Conyers substitute shows true concern about violence for women, and it must be passed. But let us not stop there. Let us take real steps to make our government work for women, for their families, and for their children in many other ways. Let us protect them against violence in the first place. Let us give them paid family leave, let us prepare them for the 21st century work force, and provide safe, affordable child care. But we can start, Mr. Chairman, by voting for the Lofgren substitute, which shows that we care what happens to women when they have been violated in any crime that would hurt them and their unborn child.”