Susan Davis: “I join my many colleagues today who have spoken out against this outrageous bill. I also want to object to the way that…”

“I join my many colleagues today who have spoken out against this outrageous bill. I also want to object to the way that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have brought up H.R. 1797 for consideration. When a bill that affects the lives and the health of women all across our country is coming up for this consideration, we deserve to have an open process. But, instead, the majority is taking a rather undemocratic approach, blocking all amendments to this harmful bill. Beyond the fact that the bill is unconstitutional, it endangers the lives of women across our country. It places a ban on abortions with the narrowest of rape and incest exceptions, and it forces a woman who has been raped to report the attack to law enforcement before seeking an abortion. So I have to ask these questions: Do the sponsors of this legislation understand the trauma that a rape survivor endures? And do they understand what a cruel message that is to send to a woman in her time of greatest need? Madam Speaker, those of us who are here in the Congress, I believe we all came here to solve the problems of the day. As we address our national priorities, is this issue high on their list? Is this the issue that gives people confidence that Congress understands the challenges that people throughout America face today? I know what those challenges are, I think. I've listened to my constituents.…”