Thomas Daschle: “I appreciate the tone of the Senator's response. I also acknowledge that the Senator from Pennsylvania is certainly well…”

“I appreciate the tone of the Senator's response. I also acknowledge that the Senator from Pennsylvania is certainly well intentioned. I respect the fact that he is also trying to find a solution. I was perhaps sent the wrong message about his desire to become a constructive partner in the dialog when I read his criticisms of the effort several months ago. I take responsibility for perhaps misinterpreting his criticisms. But, nonetheless, I do believe he is well intentioned. It is ironic that we both come to the same conclusion. The Senator from Pennsylvania has offered legislation that will clearly not stop one abortion because every other abortion procedure is available. He recognizes that. So I don't know how anyone could argue that his ban of a procedure is a ban of abortion, because it doesn't stop all of the other procedures. So how does it stop abortion? As to Dr. Hern, that man is going to jail, and I will just tell him on the record in public right now, 'Dr. Hern, you're going to jail for perjury if this legislation passes and you lie about the need for unnecessary abortions you perform.'”