On the recordJanuary 21, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is important to respond to the charge that this legislation is unconstitutional. In 2007, the Supreme Court upheld the Federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act as an appropriate use of Congress' powers under the Commerce Clause. This legislation follows that act's model by asserting Congress' authority to extend protection to pain-capable unborn children under the Commerce, Equal Protection, Due Process, and Enforcement Clauses of the 14th Amendment. It is sad that opponents of this legislation are attempting to use the Constitution as a roadblock to prevent lifesaving legislation, but the Supreme Court's position is clear. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks).
