Janice Schakowsky: “emergency contraception has been portrayed as equal to abortion on this floor. Let us set the record straight. Emergency…”

“emergency contraception has been portrayed as equal to abortion on this floor. Let us set the record straight. Emergency contraception is oral contraceptive used at higher doses. This is oral contraception, taken once a day, prescribed by a health professional. And this is emergency contraception, taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception is not abortion. Same drug, same formulation, higher dose, one time. Passes through the system in a couple of hours. Both oral contraceptives and emergency contraception work the same way: They prevent pregnancy. If a woman is pregnant, neither oral contraceptives nor emergency contraception will disrupt that pregnancy. Let me repeat: If a woman is pregnant, neither oral contraceptives nor emergency contraception will disrupt that pregnancy. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Coburn motion.”