Adam Smith: “I think what is important is we clarify what is being talked about. We have had the issue of conscience on this floor…”

“I think what is important is we clarify what is being talked about. We have had the issue of conscience on this floor before from civil rights to war protesting. Choices are not being challenged here. Every woman still has a choice. But we take away the choice of the taxpayers when we make them pay for abortions. That is the issue: Should taxpayers subsidize abortions? The Supreme Court has said that government can distinguish amongst health care procedures, especially abortion because it is different. Other procedures protect life. Abortion terminates life. This bill does not challenge a woman's right to an abortion. It just says if she makes that choice, if I choose to terminate my child's life, that I have to pay for that and not those that do not agree with that choice pay for it.”