Barney Frank: “I regret very much that this has come to a motion to recommit. That is a consequence of the very lamentable refusal of…”

“I regret very much that this has come to a motion to recommit. That is a consequence of the very lamentable refusal of the majority to allow any amendments to this bill. Indeed, if I had my preference, this would not be a motion to recommit. There was a consensus measure worked out in a bipartisan fashion by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), and others; but it is not germane to the bill. When the Committee on Rules would not allow that as an amendment, this became our only choice for recommittal. But I offer it, anyway, even though in the eyes of many, even if it passed, it would not make the bill fully acceptable. But it would clearly make it less damaging. Because here is what the bill does in the form in which it was presented. It says that even if in the opinion of the physician a failure to use this procedure in these circumstances could result in severe physical harm to the mother, he could perform it only at risk of going to prison. It shows how extreme the bill is. And I stress that because there are many who believe that this is a right a woman should have untrammeled legislatively who think this is too much, this amendment that I offer, of an impingement and would not support the bill. But others would feel differently. The fact, however, is that the majority is so intent, I believe, unfortunately, on an issue that they will not allow even this amendment.”