On the recordJanuary 24, 2017
I thank Congresswoman DeGette for yielding the time. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 7 and urge the Republican-led Congress to hear the voices of the millions who marched on Saturday who proclaimed that women's rights must be respected, including a woman's right to choose her own health care. I was part of that march, with many of my neighbors from Florida, to send a message to this Congress that our rights--our constitutional rights--must be preserved. Americans have a right to privacy, as we are reminded on this anniversary week of Roe v. Wade, but this Republican bill tramples on that right to privacy. Women, their families, and their doctors have the right to make their personal healthcare decisions, not the mostly male politicians in Washington. It is especially appalling that the Republicans have targeted female veterans and those that serve in the military for reduction in care. So, Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this unconstitutional bill and encourage Americans to continue to lift their voices.
