Mike Pence: “I am a pro-life Member of this institution and I do not apologize for that. But today's debate I would offer humbly is…”

“I am a pro-life Member of this institution and I do not apologize for that. But today's debate I would offer humbly is not really about the debate over life and choice in America; today's debate is actually about the freedom to choose, which is a central tenet of the American experience. In the same way that no one should be forced to honor a creed that they do not protest or honor a faith that they do not hold, no one and no institution, Mr. Speaker, should be forced to perform abortions against their will, their charter, their faith, their conscience. They should be able to choose, Mr. Speaker. Now, we are debating here whether or not this institution will take measures to enforce the express will of this institution. Legislation that was signed by President Clinton in 1996 made the law which we seek to defend today the law of the land, Mr. Speaker, but through judicial activism from the bench in Alaska and elsewhere in America, our courts are abrogating the will of the American people as expressed in the laws passed in this institution.”