Sam Farr: “as a strong supporter of ending violence against women, I look forward to the day that this House debates legislation…”

“as a strong supporter of ending violence against women, I look forward to the day that this House debates legislation that will actually make women safer. Unfortunately, the main goal of H.R. 1997 is undermining the freedom of choice, rather than protecting pregnant women. I strongly oppose H.R. 1997, which provides that whoever causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a fetus, embryo, zygote, or otherwise fertilized cell would be guilty of a separate criminal offense, and the punishment would be the same as if the violent act had been committed against an adult. By elevating a fetus to the same legal status as an adult, this legislation seeks to recognize the existence of a separate legal 'person' where none currently exists. This creates the legal ability to threaten the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Moreover, H.R. 1997 does not recognize two victims but focuses solely upon providing legal protections for the fetus. the crime perpetrated against the woman is absent from the bill altogether. The issue of violence against women is a serious and concerning problem that deserves our attention and resources. I support the Democratic substitute to H.R. 1997, the Motherhood Protection amendment. Without unnecessarily engaging in the abortion debate, this substitute creates a new, separate federal offense for any violence or assault against a pregnant woman that interrupts or terminates her pregnancy.”