Tom Harkin: “the amendment I have offered basically expresses the sense of the Senate in support of the Supreme Court decision in Roe…”

“the amendment I have offered basically expresses the sense of the Senate in support of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. With all of the legislation that continues to come up and chip away at Roe v. Wade, I decided it was important for us in the Senate to go on record that this historic decision was appropriate and should not be overturned. I let the clerk read the full text of the amendment because it is very short and to the point. I offered this amendment 4 years ago on similar legislation that came before this body. The disposition of that amendment at that time, if I am not mistaken, was 51 to 47 in passage. There were some who were concerned about a couple of the findings. The difference between this amendment and the one I offered 4 years ago is basically two findings have been removed and the only findings left are just the findings that pertain only to Roe v. Wade. This amendment is very simple, very straightforward. Basically, it puts us on record of saying the decision in Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973, was appropriate and should not be overturned.”