Frank Lautenberg: “we are engaged in the business of the Senate, and it is not always discernible that it is the business of the people.…”

“we are engaged in the business of the Senate, and it is not always discernible that it is the business of the people. What we see taking place these days is a principle mantra of Republicans on the campaign trail seeking more freedom for the American people. The Republicans like to say they ``don't want government interfering in people's lives.'' Then I ask: Why the devil are we debating a Republican amendment that limits a woman's freedom to make her own health care choices? With women, the Republicans have a different idea about freedom. They want government to interfere in the most personal aspects of women's lives. The amendment offered by the Senator from Missouri, the Blunt amendment, will allow a woman's employer to deny coverage for any medical service that they, the employer, have a moral problem with. Imagine that. Your boss is going to decide whether you are acting morally. The Republicans want to take us forward to the Dark Ages again when women were property that they could easily control and even trade if they wanted to. It is appalling that we are having this debate in the 21st century. Yesterday we heard something astounding. It came from Rush Limbaugh, who is a prime voice of modern conservatism in this country.…”