Lynn C. Woolsey: “Mr. Chairman, I am going to make a prediction. When historians write books on the Gingrich Congress, they are going to…”

“Mr. Chairman, I am going to make a prediction. When historians write books on the Gingrich Congress, they are going to write chapter upon chapter about the new majority's assault on reproductive choice. In the first session of the Gingrich Congress, the House of Representatives voted 21 times to compromise a woman's right to choose; 21 votes to undermine a constitutionally guaranteed right, in just 1 year. This is a new appropriations season and the march continues. But this time the anti-choice forces are making sure that not only will they maintain what they gained last year, but they want to expand on every one of their gains, including prohibition of abortion services in Federal prisons. There are really two main reasons why passage of the amendment of the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] was important. First, this is a pro-choice vote. If Members say they are pro-choice, how can they in good conscience not vote for the Norton amendment, an amendment which affirms reproductive choice for women in prison? I know that speaking on behalf of women in prison may be unpopular. Obviously these are women who have committed crimes. They are serving their punishment. They are incarcerated. But the Norton amendment is not only about women in prison, it is about fundamental protection for Roe versus Wade.”