On the recordMay 4, 2011
I am pleased now to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlelady from Connecticut, Rosa DeLauro. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this overreaching legislation, which raises taxes, threatens the health of our economy, and endangers women's health. This bill will raise taxes on small businesses that offer comprehensive health coverage for women. It will punish perfectly legal private health decisions by raising taxes on plans that offer coverage for abortion. Eighty-seven percent of private health plans will be impacted by this unprecedented assault, and Americans will see their health insurance options restricted or taken away. With this legislation, we have yet another example of the majority's real priorities, not to create jobs, not to grow the economy, not to reduce the deficit but to advance a divisive social agenda by manipulating the Tax Code. And they're doing more than just raising taxes. Rather than trusting women, like the majority of Americans do, the House majority is trying to force women back into traditional roles. They are risking their very health. The report that accompanied this bill goes even further; it tries to redefine rape and narrow the exception for sexual assault. This bill is unconscionable, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it. Let's create jobs. We should not be raising taxes and putting women's lives at risk to appease an ideological agenda.
