Debbie Dingell: “the bill before us is a tangled web of legal intricacies, which I found to be a muddled attempt to impose specific laws…”

“the bill before us is a tangled web of legal intricacies, which I found to be a muddled attempt to impose specific laws of individual States. After a careful reading of the bill, I am forced to rise in opposition to the legislation. H.R. 748 is a two-part bill. The first part makes it a crime for anybody other than a parent to accompany a minor across State lines for an abortion if the minor's State of residence has parental notification laws. We have seen this language, known as the Child Custody Protection Act, in past Congresses and I have hesitantly voted in favor of it. I say hesitantly because I have always been concerned that: the bill violates the constitutional principles of federalism; there are no exceptions for another responsible adult family member to accompany the minor; and the language is so broad that it would allow a cab or bus driver to be prosecuted. You are probably wondering, Mr. Chairman, why I voted for the bill even with these concerns. Well, as a parent, I feel strongly that parents should be involved in major decisions concerning the health and well-being of their children. The most knowledgeable resource regarding the minor's medical history is often their parent. Moreover, as is the case with any medical procedure, it is important that someone in the household be aware of the situation should there be side effects.…”