I’d
like to speak about extreme legislation being pushed by the Democrats: the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Democrats
are using a leaked Supreme Court draft, not even a final decision, as an excuse
to push radical legislation that goes beyond public opinion or common sense on
abortion. This bill goes much further than codifying the Roe v. Wade decision.
As
Ranking Member on Senate Judiciary Committee, I’ve raised many concerns over
this legislation. The so-called Women’s
Health Protect Act would invalidate hundreds of abortion-related laws, such
as: clinic regulations, admitting privileges requirements, regulations on
abortion-inducing drugs, reflection periods, conscience protections,
sex-selection bans and limitations on the use of state funds and facilities for
abortion training.
Iowa
and many other states have taken action on their own to enact commonsense
restrictions. I don’t think this bill is commonsense because it allows
late-term abortions, which would be up to the day of birth.
They
have protected individuals from having to perform abortions against their own
religious beliefs. We can’t stand by as those commonsense laws are under attack
by Democrats.
The
bill before us would invalidate these state laws and would allow abortion
providers to set the standard of care for their patients with no oversight from
the states. It would allow health care workers to determine when a life is
viable, which will lead to inconsistent practices across the country and
endanger the lives of mothers everywhere.
If
the bill before us were to be signed into law, the federal government would
send a message to states that enacting laws to protect patients and regulate
the health and welfare of their citizens is not their right. It would allow
Congress to intrude on state’s authority and nullify life-saving laws on the
books. It would invalidate the police powers of the state under the 10th
amendment.
In
addition, this bill establishes no private right for women harmed by abortions.
How can we as a Congress stand up and say we’re protecting women when really this
bill disregards any loss of life of babies, including full term infants and
even some mothers?
Democrats
claim this bill is a necessary and moderate step. How can a sweeping piece of
legislation that would overrule dozens of state laws and establish terminating
a pregnancy as the only option be classified as “moderate?”
It’s
unfortunate that the majority is using this issue to appear compassionate and
concerned about women’s rights when, in reality, the bill disregards popular
and commonsense laws that protect women and children across the country. Large
majorities of Americans support strong abortion restrictions that this bill
would overturn.
I
understand and appreciate the robust debate around this subject. However, I am
uncomfortable with the rhetoric of some of my colleagues. They refuse to
discuss important priorities of what the American people want and only want to
push one extreme option.
Let
me be clear, abortion should not be promoted as the default contraception and
family planning tool. Let’s have a productive discussion on what can be done to
support women and families.
It’s
important to be open with our colleagues and peers on differences, but we must
unite to protect life because every single life is precious.
The
Women’s Health Protection Act is an
extreme bill that completely disregards human life. I intend to vote against
the motion to proceed to this legislation.
