Political Quotes

“I voted to proceed to the consideration of the Women's Health Protection Act today with some reluctance, not because of any doubts about the substance of the bill--I have been a strong supporter of reproductive choice throughout my public life--but because of concern about and disagreement with some of the provisions of its introductory ``Findings'' section. Several of these provisions assert that opposition to reproductive services, including abortion, is rooted in racism and misogyny. I don't believe that this is true, and I do believe that it is unfair and insulting to the millions of Americans whose opposition to abortion is rooted in their faith and deeply held moral principles. While I disagree with their conclusion--that it is appropriate for the government to impose these beliefs on others who do not share them and thereby intrude into the personal medical choices of all women--I don't question their motives and strongly disagree with the language of the bill that does so. My vote today was not a vote on the final passage of the bill, but only to bring it to the Senate floor for debate and amendment. Had the motion succeeded, I, along with many of my colleagues, would have voted to remove this inflammatory and unnecessary language from the bill. Fundamentally, this issue is about who should have the power to make this most personal and difficult choice, the government or individual women in consultation with their doctors.…”