Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. Let us be clear about what we are doing in the House today. By voting to go to conference on the freedom of access to clinics bill, we are saying that our present legal statutes are not sufficient to deliver justice to the American people, and I say to my colleagues with all the rhetoric aside, and the talk about violence and, 'If you vote against this bill, you're for violence,' this just is not so. I think my colleagues really need to look at this bill. Look at the murder trial over the abortion doctor, Dr. David Gunn. Justice has been served. Dr. Gunn's murderer was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 5 of this very year. Nevertheless, Mr. Speaker, this murder has served as the impetus for a whole new course of action against people who are primarily law abiding, nonviolent protestors. Dr. Gunn's murderer was not a prolifer. He proved that the minute he pulled the trigger. But it is my strong belief that people who commit violent acts should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This bill simply extends beyond that stated purpose. We do not need another bill to protect people seeking abortions. They are already protected under current law.”