On the recordFebruary 25, 2016
I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for leading this Special Order hour on this very important issue. As my colleagues have mentioned, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt next Tuesday, challenging HB2, a Texas law that has already led to the closing of more than 20 abortion providers in the State. Now, this is just the most recent example of the attack which is underway all across this country on women's health, not just in the State of Texas, but in many other places around our country. As was just mentioned, politicians are passing laws and enacting regulations to deny women full reproductive health care. In fact, just last Sunday, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a law defunding Planned Parenthood. During his time in office, half of Ohio's abortion clinics have closed. One in three women will have to make a decision in their lifetime if an abortion is the right decision for them. I am very proud to be a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus in the Congress. I know this is an extremely personal decision for women, a decision that should be made between a woman and her physician, and a decision the government has no right to intrude upon, a constitutionally protected right as established in our law. It is absolutely critical that women in every part of this country have access to full reproductive health care, including safe abortion services. If the Court upholds Whole Woman's Health v.…





