Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 36. Instead of considering legislation that would help to promote our economic recovery, expand educational opportunities, repair our crumbling infrastructure, or invest in science and research, our House colleagues on the Republican side continue to pursue an extreme social agenda.

I stand to strongly oppose H.R. 36, which would violate Supreme Court precedent and impose arbitrary and unconstitutional restrictions on women's healthcare decisions. Every woman in America deserves access to affordable, comprehensive health care, including full reproductive health care. H.R. 36 would ban abortions after 20 weeks even though medical professionals have explained that some deadly and severe conditions cannot be diagnosed earlier.

Madam Speaker, politicians are not medical experts and should not be making healthcare decisions for women in this country. These decisions are properly made by women in consultation with their healthcare professionals, not by a bunch of politicians in Washington.

In addition, the bill contains an unreasonably narrow exception for cases in which the woman's life is in danger or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest: only if the woman has sought mental health counseling or reported the incident to law enforcement--even though we know that a majority of these crimes go undisclosed or unreported.

Madam Speaker, this bill is a dangerous distraction from the pressing needs facing our country. I urge my colleagues to oppose this terrible bill and leave healthcare decisions in the hands of the people they belong in, the women of this country.

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