Lois Capps: “Today is the first day of spring, but I believe that we are continuing to be surrounded by darkness. I ask, Mr. Speaker…”

“Today is the first day of spring, but I believe that we are continuing to be surrounded by darkness. I ask, Mr. Speaker, will the vote we are taking today help us reach what I believe are our twin goals, to preserve the dignity of a woman's right to choose and to decrease and diminish the need for abortions? Sadly, this vote will not. Does the discussion we are having today create more civility in Congress? Will it create a more resilient bond of trust between ourselves and the people we represent? The answer once again, Mr. Speaker, is not at all. Abortion is a terribly tragic consequence, but we will not take away the tragedy of abortion by banning it legislatively or by placing extreme restrictions on its availability. In my judgment, exceptions must always be sustained in the event that the life of the mother, the health of the mother, or the future reproductive capacity of the mother, are placed in jeopardy. I wish to add, Mr. Speaker, that those who are touting this issue as a religious issue, in my humble judgment, should be a bit more cautious.”