Nita Lowey: “I rise in strong support of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and also to commend those who have worked…”

“I rise in strong support of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and also to commend those who have worked particularly hard to move this legislation forward. Chairman Schumer has shown tremendous leadership in crafting a responsible bill that brings consensus to this issue and provides much needed security to women and physicians. He, along with the other lead sponsor, Connie Morella, and Chairman Brooks, Pat Schroeder, Louise Slaughter and Jolene Unsoeld have worked tirelessly to make this vote possible and the considerable margins in support of this bill are largely to their credit. Mr. Speaker, for far too long we have allowed the rhetoric and actions of extremists to escalate. Some who could not achieve their goals through the political process have turned to violence and intimidation--and in doing so they have prevented women from exercising their constitutional rights. FACE offers us the opportunity to tell American women that we respect their rights and that we will protect their access to basic health care. I hope we will not let the heated rhetoric divert us from the very real fact that these clinics do more than provide abortion services. They provide family planning services, pre-natal care, and even adoption services. When we allow the violence at these clinics to continue, we jeopardize the health and indeed the very lives of women and their families.”