Thomas Daschle: “second, let me just say that the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania said that only his bill allows a judge and jury…”

“second, let me just say that the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania said that only his bill allows a judge and jury to decide. I beg to differ. We have virtually the same standard with regard to the determination of illegality. They don't "self-certify" any more than we "self-certify," and vice versa. It ultimately comes down to whether or not someone believes a physician has broken the law. And we have very specific guidelines by which a person, a doctor, can be prosecuted if indeed he or she has violated the law. The third question is simply this. If indeed we want to stop abortion, then we really have a choice. We can stop one procedure, which is what H.R. 1122 does. It only stops one procedure. It allows all the other alternatives to continue. Or we can stop them all. There is only one bill pending--one piece of legislation pending-- that allows the complete elimination of all methods of abortion. Finally, Mr. President, let me just say, as much as one might like to get around the parameters required by the Supreme Court and the Constitution, that when it comes to health, there can be no doubt. A woman's health, as well as her life, needs to be protected. That is exactly what this legislation does. It outlaws every one of the procedures. It doesn't allow doctors just to shift to another procedures as the colleagues on the other side who support this particular procedure will continue to allow.”