Robert Torricelli: “Mr. President, for 25 years the question of abortion has been among the most divisive in our Nation. It divides our…”

“Mr. President, for 25 years the question of abortion has been among the most divisive in our Nation. It divides our families and poisons our political debate. We come to this floor today still holding, I know, fundamentally different views on this question. I believe strongly that the issue of bringing a pregnancy to term remains with a woman in consultation with her conscience and her doctor. I know others have fundamentally different views. But there is a real chance at long last, at least for this moment, for one narrow part of this issue, to find some common ground. Because, on this day, there is a chance to address at least the issue of postviability, late-term abortions. And the question largely rests with those who have dedicated these years in opposition to abortion rights generally. The Senator from South Dakota [Mr. Daschle] has offered an alternative--that it is constitutional because it deals only with postviability pregnancies. It, and it alone, can pass the constitutional test of Roe versus Wade. It alone does not have an undue burden or a substantial obstacle, as outlined in Casey versus Planned Parenthood. And it alone will get the signature of the President of the United States.”