David Obey: “I voted for the ban on partial-birth abortions last year. I expect to do it again. But I am against this rule because it…”

“I voted for the ban on partial-birth abortions last year. I expect to do it again. But I am against this rule because it prevents me from voting in a way that fully expresses my own conscience. My conscience tells me that this procedure ought to be prevented. But it also tells me that in cases of serious, long-term physical health damage--not temporary emotional or physical inconvenience--that the choice ought to be made not by politicians but by the woman involved. If there are not any cases where such a drastic choice exists, as is suggested by those on the Republican side of the aisle, then there would be no exceptions. So there would be no harm in allowing the House to vote on the Frank amendment. I believe the problem with this rule is that, among other things, it does not allow for a vote on the Frank amendment and it should. Some will say it is not right to trade a life for health, that a woman who is in that situation should suffer long-term physical health problems in order to preserve a life. I might very well agree with that. I probably do theologically. But the fact is that what is being missed here is that, even in that case, it is not my choice. Who anointed me or you or any of us to make that choice in those circumstances? The essence of adulthood is that adults are supposed to be allowed to make their own moral choices. That is what I was taught and that is what I deeply believe. This rule is nothing but a gag rule.”