Recognition of the Minority Leader

Floor Speech

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WOMEN'S HEALTH

Mr. REID. Mr. President, it is said you cannot make the same mistake twice because the second time it is a choice, it is not a mistake. I repeat: It is said you cannot make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it is a choice. On every issue, Republicans are choosing to employ the same failed strategy they have tried time and time again. They are making choices. Over and over again, they drag Congress and the American people through votes that are nothing more than publicity stunts, solely designed to boost their conservative records.

Today we stand in the midst of yet another show vote designed to honor the political wish lists of extremists. Once again, Republicans have decided to place a woman's health at the center of their ideological campaign. We have seen this tactic before. It does not work.

Americans are tired of the Republican attacks on the health of women. Earlier this year, Republicans manipulated a bill. The bill was to help victims of human trafficking. They turned it into a political football by attaching ideological abortion riders. They have tried to repeatedly cut off funds for Planned Parenthood, a critical safety net provider for women.

Now today, in the face of a government shutdown, they decide to waste the Senate's time on a 20-week abortion ban. Every Senator in this body knows this bill is going nowhere. This attack is a waste of time. The bill on its merits is no good. It will accomplish nothing. By holding today's vote, the Republican leader is pandering to the rightwing extremists in his party who are willing to take our government hostage, trying to score nothing more than political points.

The time for partisan politics is over. The Senate, our government, cannot afford to be subjected to meaningless attacks on the health of women. We will be in session for only 2 more days this week. The House will not convene today or tomorrow. On October 1 the government will run out of money. With or without the stamp of approval Republicans are so desperately seeking, on October 1 the government will be out of money.

Republicans should end their partisan attack on women and join Democrats in carrying out one of our primary responsibilities as elected officials, as Members of Congress, and that is to keep the government doors open. Actions speak louder than words. These partisan attacks on the health of women, led by Republicans and the leader specifically today, will not only push Congress to the brink of another government shutdown--we are there. It would show once again that Republicans would rather attack women's health than keep their obligation to the American people.

On Thursday we are going to be in a very difficult time squeeze. We are going to have another vote, abortion related, on Planned Parenthood, and then we are going to have to try to figure out a way to fund the government. This responsibility is on the Republicans. They control the House and the Senate. It is not our responsibility. We will help in any way we can. We have not held up anything procedurally. We do not intend to do that. We want to move forward and get the government funded. But we are at a crossroads here. I am not sure we can make it with the time set because of all of these unnecessary votes that have been scheduled by the Republican leader these last couple of weeks. I hope we can make it and not have to see the government shut down again. But, you know, we have seen that before. The American people have been to that rodeo before. Who has suffered? The American people.

I would hope the Republican leader has a plan to help us get out of this morass they have created. We will do everything we can within reason to make sure the American people are treated fairly in the upcoming spending bills, but we have to get there by October 1.

Will the Chair announce the business of the day.

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