Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise against this bill. This is the first time that Congress has attempted to criminalize a medical procedure--a rare…”

“I rise against this bill. This is the first time that Congress has attempted to criminalize a medical procedure--a rare procedure used to save a woman's life and save her reproductive future. That's what it was for Kim Koster, who lives in Iowa. In November 1996, she became pregnant. In February, she faced heartbreaking news: Their baby had anencephaly--no brain. Kim says, ``our world came crashing down around us.'' Thankfully, the D and E procedure was available, and Kim's fertility remained intact. In March of this year, Kim became pregnant, and just last week, she learned that--again--she has another baby with no brain. Nineteen states, including Iowa, have blocked these state laws, ruling that they are unconstitutional, vague, and overly broad. Thankfully, Kim was able to have the abortion she needed. Unfortunately, this federal bill prevents women like Kim Koster from receiving necessary, safe medical care in rare cases when a much wanted pregnancy has gone tragically wrong. When a woman seeks medical care, she wants the best care her doctor can provide. Congress has no place in their decisions. And Congress has no place politicizing family tragedies. Apparently, the supporters of this bill feel it is more important to save a doomed fetus than the life of the mother and her ability to have children in the future. I urge a ``no'' vote on this override vote.”