Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012

Floor Speech

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3541, which should be called the Straw Man Act of 2012.

Our first priorities in the House of Representatives must be helping to foster job creation and supporting middle class families.

Instead, the Republicans once again have chosen to continue their radical assault on women's health care in the guise of preventing gender discrimination in abortion.

I am concerned about gender discrimination. That is why I support legislation that will address gender bias like the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the health reform law that will give women access to preventive health care.

Unlike those bills, H.R. 3541 does nothing to address sex discrimination or gender bias in society, but instead would punish health care providers for performing a legal medical procedure.

Offensively, this bill would create a right for a woman's husband or family member to sue to stop her from obtaining abortion care, which is a constitutionally protected right.

Besides being misguided and offensive, H.R. 3541 is dangerous. This bill would give the federal government the right to inspect people's medical records and interfere with a private doctor-patient relationship.

I oppose this anti-choice and anti-woman bill.

I urge my colleagues to vote no on this offensive, misguided and dangerous piece of legislation and would encourage them to support authentic pieces of legislation that address gender discrimination.

Source