Lynn C. Woolsey: “I rise to oppose this bill, and I question how this body could even consider a proposal as dishonest as this one. This…”

“I rise to oppose this bill, and I question how this body could even consider a proposal as dishonest as this one. This bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a proposal to undermine reproductive rights dressed up as a bill to punish violent crimes against women. We have really important issues that we should be considering, Mr. Speaker, rather than legislation that will undermine a woman's right to choose. We should be focusing this time today on policies that ensure every woman has a healthy pregnancy. We should promote solutions to the tragedy of domestic violence and the many other heinous offenses against women. If antichoice forces would like to debate whether or not a woman has the right to make her own medical decisions, I am ready for that debate. Our constituents deserve a frank discussion about a woman's right to choose. It is unfair and it is misleading to characterize this bill as anything other than an assault on reproductive freedom in this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in the opposition of this misleading base legislation and in favor of the Lofgren substitute that protects the pregnant woman without reducing her own rights.”