Nydia M. Velazquez: “Mr. Chairman, we in Washington have witnessed a stark display of hypocrisy over the last 2 days. Yesterday a few blocks…”

“Mr. Chairman, we in Washington have witnessed a stark display of hypocrisy over the last 2 days. Yesterday a few blocks from here 45,000 so-called pro-life demonstrators marched against reproductive freedom. They demanded the protection of fetal life from conception to birth. Many Members of this body offered their support. Today, Congress debates a Federal responsibility of the highest order, the duty to protect the child from birth to the grave. Where are the marchers? All gone home. And what of my colleagues? Will each of them who spoke in support of yesterday's demonstration rise today in support of this amendment? Is the protection of the child of lesser value than the alleged right of the fetus? I believe that the protection of the child after birth is a national priority of the highest order. It is a sacred duty above all others. This amendment will ensure that it remains so. It will allow the Federal Government to continue to enact and enforce legitimate child protection measures without undue restraint. It deserves the support of every Member of Congress, pro-life and pro-choice alike.”