Hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - Statement by Congressman WM. Lacy Clay from Hearing Titled, "Examining State Efforts to Undermine Access to Reproductive Healthcare"

Hearing

"Good afternoon Madam Chairwoman…thank you.

I, along with my constituents, appreciate your calling this hearing today on an urgent issue that threatens the health and personal freedom of millions of American women.

The assault against a women's right to make their own healthcare decisions is an insult to the basic values of individual freedom and limited government.

Nowhere in the nation is that assault more urgent than in my home state of Missouri, specifically in the City of St. Louis, which I am so proud to represent.

Planned Parenthood of St. Louis is the last remaining women's healthcare clinic in the entire State of Missouri that also provides abortion services. I visited the clinic staff and physicians this past June as the battle was elevating. I wanted to lend my support and voice to their efforts.

As a husband, father and brother, I support and trust the private, personal health choices of women. I am truly amazed that the Missouri Department of Health would…along with efforts to shut down the clinic, intimidate patients and threaten providers…

…And would allegedly and bizarrely track women's menstrual periods on spreadsheets to determine if they had had an abortion.

No woman should be subjected to this violation of their personhood.

This is America. It's her body. It's her healthcare.

It's her decision.

I stand with Planned Parenthood, because they are truly on the front lines of defending women's healthcare across America.

Madam Chairwoman, I would also like to introduce into the record a personal statement by Ms. M'Evie Mead, the Director of Policy and Organizing of Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri.

Thank you, and I yield back."

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