Political Quotes

“I appreciate all of my good friends and female colleagues for speaking out on the Weldon-Hyde provision that is in this bill. But I think it is important also to show that this issue is not just related. It is not just a woman's issue. It is about our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, and it is a bad provision. It is a discriminatory provision, and it undermines the U.S. Constitution that guarantees reproductive rights for all women. And that is the purpose of it. We are supposed to be the people's body, and yet this undermines what the vast majority of the American people believe in. Seventy-six percent of the public opposes exempting hospitals from providing medical services to which they object on religious grounds, and yet this is the purpose of this provision which we are about to make law. Eighty-nine percent of the public opposes allowing insurance companies to refuse to pay for medical services on religious grounds. This Federal refusal clause is a sweeping new exemption from current laws and regulations pertaining to abortion services and information. It undermines Roe V. Wade. It is very important. Not just foot in the door. It is getting the whole body of very radical opinion in the door, undermining what the vast majority of the American people believe in. It would change existing law to say that a Federal, State, or local government may not require any constitutional or individual health care provider to provide, pay for, or refer for abortions.”