Lynn Schenk: “I rise in support of this rule, and support of the conference report on freedom of access to clinics. Mr. Speaker, it…”

“I rise in support of this rule, and support of the conference report on freedom of access to clinics. Mr. Speaker, it has been 6 months since the House passed this landmark legislation. But in fact, American women have waited far longer than 6 months for this protection. In the past 16 years, family planning clinics have endured: 36 bombings, 81 arsons, 131 death threats, 84 assaults, 2 kidnappings, and 327 break-ins. In the past year alone, California clinics have endured 1,100 separate acts of violence, including a vicious chemical attack on a San Diego clinic in March 1993. And for what reason, Mr. Speaker? Because they provide reproductive health care services to women. Pap smears, screenings for STD's, contraceptives, prenatal care, infertility treatment, counseling--and yes, helping a woman's constitutional right to terminate her own pregnancy. And now, after all this violence and all this time, the opposition is again making petty procedural objections in an attempt to kill this bill. Their true agenda is to continue the reign of harrassment, terror, and physical intimidation against women and their doctors. This sensible legislation should not be derailed by senseless objections. We can wait no longer--pass this rule, pass this conference report, and give American women the protection of our rights we deserve.”